Transcript File - Team Blue Ridge

Geographic Regions of Georgia
SS8G1 The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.
b. Describe the five geographic regions of Georgia; include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and
Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain.
c. Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features on the development of Georgia;
include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee and Savannah
Rivers, and barrier islands.
Let’s Discuss….
Compare and Contrast these pictures. What do these pictures tell you
about the different physiogeographic regions of Georgia?
5 Regions of Georgia
 Appalachian Plateau
 Ridge and Valley
 Blue Ridge
 Piedmont
 Coastal Plain
The characteristics of each region make unique
contributions to our state.
Appalachian Plateau
 Our smallest region.
 Known as the TAG corner(Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia)
 Lookout Mountain and Sand Mountain are in this region.
 Here we see ridges of limestone & a long narrow valley in between
 Our only significant coal deposits are in this region.
 Agriculture in the area is limited.
Ridge and Valley
 Lower elevation than Appalachian Plateau
 Low open valleys and narrow ridges
 Soil good for crops such as grain and apples (Ellijay is the apple
capital of Georgia!)
 Industry includes textiles and carpet (Dalton is the carpet capital
of the WORLD!)
Blue Ridge
 Highest mountains in the state
 Brasstown Bald is Georgia’s highest point.
 Dahlonega is the site of America’s first Gold
Rush!
Blue Ridge
 Provides water for the entire state through
precipitation (over 80 inches per year.)
 Beginning of Appalachian Trail, home to
Amicalola Falls, Tallulah Gorge, and the town
of Helen.
 See it while you can. Erosion continues to
wear down the height of the mountains.
Blue Ridge Images
Amicalola Falls
Brasstown Bald: You can
see 3 states from this point.
Helen, Georgia has a strong
German influence. Why do
you think that is?
Piedmont
• Begins in the mountain foothills of North
Georgia and goes to the central part of the
state.
• Also known as the “Foot of the Mountain”
• You live in the Piedmont region.
• Granite based foundation (What’s our largest
granite outcropping?)
Piedmont
• Soil is sandy loam and red clay suitable for
growing hardwoods, pine, and agriculture.
• Some of the most densely populated cities are
crossed by Chattahoochee, Flint, Ocmulgee,
and Oconee rivers.
• Manufacturing is important in this region
Piedmont Images
 Piedmont is the most populated region in Georgia.
 Fayetteville is in the Piedmont region.
Coastal Plain
There are two parts to
Georgia’s coastal plain:
•The Inner Coastal Plain
which is the agricultural
heartland of the state
•The Outer Coastal Plain
is home to the oldest
city, Savannah.
Which color do you
think represents the
Inner Coastal Plain and
which color represents
the Outer Coastal Plain?
Coastal Plain and The Fall Line
This is the largest region in
Georgia.
The Fall Line separates the
Piedmont region from the Coastal
Plain region.
* Where hilly land meets the
coastal plain
* Runs from Columbus through
Macon to Augusta
* Prevented exploration but
created living areas for
settlers
The Coastal Plain
 Deep harbors and ports are important to
Georgia’s economy and transportation
systems.
 Barrier islands provide for tourism and
recreation as well as the fishing industry.
 Location of Georgia’s first settlements.
 Home to the Okefenokee Swamp, the
largest swamp in North America.
Coastal Plain Region
The Chattahoochee River
 This river forms part of the border between Alabama and
Georgia.
 Early Native Americans as well as European settlers used
this river as a food and water source.
 Today it is used primarily
as a water source for
the Piedmont area as well as
for industry and recreation.
Chattahoochee River
The Savannah River
 This river forms the border between Georgia and South
Carolina.
 It flows to the Atlantic Ocean.
 A source of water, food and
transportation for thousands
of years.
It is the only river that flows
INTO Georgia from another
State.
Savannah River
Appalachian Mountains
 The southernmost point of this mountain range is located in
Georgia.
 These mountains run through the Blue Ridge region, the
Ridge and Valley region and the Appalachian Plateau.
 In the south we often call these mountains the Blue Ridge
Mountains.
Barrier Islands
 They protect the mainland from wind and water erosion by
blocking the wind, sands and water that could cause erosion.
 They are located in the Coastal Plain region.
 These islands are mainly used for recreational activities.
 The Spanish set up missions on these islands in the 1500’s.
Physical Features map
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Okefenokee Swamp
Brasstown Bald
Appalachian Mountains
Savannah River
Chattahoochee River
St. Mary’s River
Barrier Islands
3.
3.
2.
3.
4.
5.
7.
1.
6.
Climate
 Hurricanes and Tornadoes are the most dangerous aspect of
Georgia’s climate.
 The continental shelf off of our coast helps to move
hurricanes northward.
 Georgia’s climate allows for many agricultural and
recreational opportunities.
 Georgia’s mild climate attracts businesses to our state.
Things to Know!
 The majority of our rivers flow Southwest.
 The Okefenokee is the largest fresh water marsh in North
America.
 North Georgia has little ground water because the
precipitation can not soak into the hard bedrock.
 The waterfalls of the Fall Line were difficult to travel over.
 A wetland is a low lying area where water lies close to the
surface.