Georgia Online

Georgia Fun Facts

Symbols of Georgia
Listed here are the state symbols for Georgia. Most of these symbols were selected by the General Assembly.

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State Parks and Recreation Areas
Georgia has numerous state parks and recreational areas. These parks were established by the state government for the preservation of nature and the enjoyment of its citizens. For example, Kolomoki Mounds Historic Park protects an important archaeological site. Within the park are seven earthen mounds built by the Swift Creek and Weeden Indians between A.D 250 and A.D. 950. A museum is located partially inside an excavated mound, allowing visitors to view many artifacts.

Another interesting location is the small Watson Mill Bridge State Park. It is home to the longest covered bridge in Georgia built on its original site. Georgia more than 200 covered bridges, but fewer than 20 exist today. Visitors enjoy playing in the cool water just below the bridge.

The Sapelo Island Reserve lies on Georgia's scenic Atlantic coast. This reserve protects an entire barrier island and the salt marsh around it. Visitors can learn about the natural landscape or explore the cultural history of the island. A lighthouse built in 1820 has recently been restored and is working again as a navigational aid.

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Places of Interest
Georgia is home to many places of interest that draw visitors from all over the state. The Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge preserves over 400,000 acres of Okefenokee Swamp. This enormous refuge was established in 1937. It is one of the most well preserved freshwater areas in the country. Besides an impressive array of trees and plants, the swamp is home to diverse wildlife, including frogs, turtles, crocodiles, snakes, fish, and many wading birds.

Further to the north, the Antebellum Trail provides visitors a lesson in history and beauty. The trail connects historic towns that are reminders of Georgia before the Civil War. Towns such as Washington, Madison, and Milledgeville avoided being burned during the war and today are scenic pockets of pre-war architecture. Another city on the Trail is Athens, home to the University of Georgia. Athens is known for its historic beauty, but also for its lively cultural activities.

For a more artistic experience, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta presents a wide variety of art for the interested viewer. The museum features thousands of pieces of art, spanning thousands of years of history and countless national origins. The art is housed in a gleaming white building that is famous for its beautiful architecture.

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Notable People from Alabama (Past and Present)
Many of Georgia’s citizens are famous across the nation. Georgians have contributed in every area of life, from John C. Freemont and Franklin D. Roosevelt in government to Hank Aaron and Ty Cobb in baseball. Georgians such as Oliver Hardy and Lewis Grizzard have entertained the nation, while citizens such as Juliette Gordon Low established lasting institutions such as the Girl Scouts of the USA.

Many Georgians have had a lasting impact on arts or literature, such as Flannery O’Connor. Born in 1925, O’Connor grew up in Savannah and Milledgeville. She began writing and selling short stories in her twenties and published her first novel, Wise Blood, in 1952. O’Connor was a star figure in the literary community of Southern writers. Her fiction explored religious themes and racial issues.

Georgians such as Martin Luther King, Jr., played active roles in the civil rights movement of the twentieth century. King was born in Atlanta in 1929. After studying at Boston University and Harvard and receiving his doctoral degree in 1955, King became a pastor in Montgomery, Alabama. Later he resettled in Atlanta. During the 1950s and 1960s, King was actively involved in the civil rights movement. He led the movement with the policy of nonviolent protest. His protests were often broadcast on television, exposing the nation to the abuse suffered by African Americans and turning the tide of popular opinion towards their cause. King was assassinated in 1968.

Jimmy Carter is one of the most influential Georgians alive today. He was born in Plains in 1924. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy and serving seven years in the U.S. Navy, he returned to Plains and entered farming and state politics. After serving as a Democratic governor, Carter announced his plans to run for President in 1974. He was elected in 1976 and began his term while the country was in difficult times. His policies improved the economy, but could never pull it out of the slump it was in. A national energy policy, the protection of the environment, and the creation of the Department of Education rank as some of his achievements. Carter also championed human rights in international relations. After his presidency, Jimmy Carter established the Carter Center in Atlanta, a human rights organization that is very active today.

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