Transcript Georgia`s Natural Resources

Georgia’s Natural
Resources
Water Resources
• North Georgia does
not have major
underground sources
of water.
– Underground sources
found south of the Fall
Line
Reservoirs
• To meet the growing demand for water in north
Georgia, reservoirs (large artificial lakes) and
smaller lakes have been built.
– Problems  where to build, how to protect & who
will pay
» Reservoirs in Dalton, Ga. Pictured above
Water Cycle
• Groundwater stored in porous ground
(limestone, and sedimentary ground)
• Aquifers are water-saturated layers of earth.
– From rainfall
– 2 Types
• Surface – from water table
• Artesian – deeper
• Most of north Ga. Depends on surface water
– In rivers, streams, lakes and ponds
Water Cycle
Georgia’s Rivers & Streams
• Georgia has 20,000 miles of rivers and streams
• Georgia’s rivers generally flow from north to south
due to drop in elevation from north to south
• Georgia slopes to the southeast
– Rivers & streams are pulled towards the sea
Characteristics of Georgia Rivers
• North of Fall Line
– More shallow & narrow
– Numerous rapids &
waterfalls
• Water power along
fall line important fact
in settlement
Georgia Lakes
• 4 out of 5 Georgians
live within 40 miles of
a major freshwater
lake.
– Most have been built
as reservoirs
Rocks & Minerals
• Native Indians used
quartz and other
stones for weapons
• Gold
• Kaolin
– Used in many
products
• Marble
– Tate House in Jasper,
Ga.
Georgia’s Weather & Climate
• Weather
– Conditions in the
atmosphere
• Air
• Clouds
• Gasses around earth
• Affects whether we
go to the beach today
or tomorrow
• Climate
– Average weather
conditions over time
• At least 25 to 30 years
• Determines what kind
of crops a farmer will
plant
Weather & Climate continued
• Climate important to
creation of Georgia
– Same latitude as China,
India, Persia (Iran) and
Palestine
• English thought that
Georgia could grow or
produce the same things
as these countries
– Wine, silk, rice, tea,
olives, oranges, cotton &
indigo
• Geographic Location
= climate
– Near Atlantic Ocean &
Gulf of Mexico
– On eastern edge of
continent
– Closeness to Equator
• Hot summers, mild
winters, and (usually)
abundant rainfall
The Importance of Precipitation In
Georgia
• How does rain and snow impact Georgia’s economy?
• Precipitation is critical for farmers, industries, &
homeowners. Explain!
• In Georgia, the central & southern regions receive 40 –
52 inches of rain per year.
• In the mountain region receives 65 – 70 inches.
• July is the wettest month of the year; October is the
driest month of the year.
• Droughts – lack of precipitation. How does this affect
Georgia????
Weather Phenomena
• Hurricanes
– August – November
• Air Currents
– “Trade Winds” helped
explorers & merchants
– “Prevailing Westerlies”
• Helped carry ships from
America to Europe
– Jet Stream
• Tornadoes
– Georgia averages 19
per year
• Brings cold air into Ga.
• Ocean Currents
– Movements of water
masses in the ocean
• Gulf Stream  warm;
helps with mild winters
THE END