Transcript Unit 1: Geography of Georgia

Unit 1: Geography of Georgia
SS8G1: The student will describe Georgia
with regard to physical features and location.
Vocabulary Terms to Know
SS8G1a
• Region: An area with common characteristics
such as soil, vegetation, climate, landforms,
recreation and economic opportunities.
• Nation: A territory or country.
• Continent: One of seven large land masses on
Earth.
• Hemisphere: A half of a sphere or the Earth.
Location SS8G1a
• Located on the continent of North America
• Located in the southeastern region of the USA
• Georgia is bordered by five states on the:
A. Florida
B. South Carolina
C. Alabama
D. Tennessee
E. North Carolina
Location
Absolute & Relative Location
• Absolute Location: Georgia is between 30 °
31‘ and 35 ° north latitude; between 81° and
85 ° 53' west longitude.
• Relative Location: Georgia is surrounded by
Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina,
& North Carolina (5 border states…
).
• Georgia is positioned in both the northern and
western hemispheres.
Location
Location
• Georgia has 159 counties
• Georgia is ranked 24th in size among the 50
U.S. states.
• Largest state east of the Mississippi River.
• Highest mountain point in Georgia is
Brasstown Bald (4,784 feet), which is located
in Twiggs County
• Atlanta is the capital city.
Where in the World is Georgia?
Absolute Location:
Relative location:
Georgia is bordered
by ---states. It is
located north of ----,
south of -----, etc.
Georgia is also
bordered by the ----Ocean
Region of the
USA:
Continent:
Hemisphere:
5 Geographic Regions SS8G1b
5 Geographic Regions
• Each of these regions has soil, physical
features, and climate that help determine
what kinds of animals and plants can live and
thrive in it.
5 Geographic Regions
• Appalachian Plateau
Region: The
mountainous region
found in the
northwestern corner of
Georgia.
• Its most prominent
features are Lookout
and Cloudland Canyon.
5 Geographic Regions
• Ridge and Valley Region:
It occupies most of the
northwestern part of
Georgia.
• Forms a series of parallel
valleys separated by
ridges in the northwest
corner of the state.
• The valleys contain fertile
land for farming.
5 Geographic Regions
• Blue Ridge Region: It is
located in the
northeastern part of
Georgia.
• It consists of mountains,
ridges, and basins.
• Brasstown Bald,
Georgia’s tallest
mountain, is located in
this region.
5 Geographic Regions
• Piedmont Region: It contains
a series of rolling hills and
occasional isolated mountains
(Stone Mountain and Pine
Mountain).
• Rivers and ravines are found
throughout this region.
• Red clay soil is found in this
region.
• ½ of Georgia’s population
lives in the Piedmont Region.
• We live in this region.
Fall Line
• Also known as the Fall Zone
• It stretches across the state
from Augusta to Columbus.
• It is the natural boundary that
separates the Piedmont and
Coastal Plain Regions.
• Land elevation drops and the
water flows at an increase
rate.
• Georgia’s waterfalls are
located along the fall line.
5 Geographic Regions
• The Georgia coast is associated
with the Coastal Plain Region, a
low, flat region of well-drained,
gently rolling hills and poorly
drained flat woods.
• The Atlantic Ocean forms the
eastern border of the Coastal
Plain.
• The southern border of this
province is formed by the Gulf of
Mexico, in the state of Florida.
• This region is divided into the
inner and outer Coastal Plains.
• The Coastal Plain is the largest
region in Georgia.
Physical Features SS8G1c
• Fall Line is located
between the Piedmont
Region and Coastal
Plain Region.
• It is the point at which
hilly or mountainous
lands meet the coast
plain.
• This is where Georgia’s
waterfalls and rapids
are found.
Physical Features
• Okefenokee Swamp is a wetland haven for
hundreds of plants, animals, and reptiles.
• This swamp is located in the outer Coastal
Plain Region.
Physical Features
• Georgia two major seaports are: Savannah & Brunswick,
GA.
• Georgia’s rivers are important to the state.
A. Provides habitat for thousands of plant and animal species
B. Transportation routes for ships carrying goods
C. Provide drinking water for many areas
D. Generate hydroelectric power at many dams and cool the
reactors at facilities that provide nuclear power in the
state
E. Source of recreation for people who like to canoe, kayak,
and swim
Physical Features
• 11 Major state rivers are:
1. Etowah River
2. Coosa River
3. Chattahoochee River
4. Oostanaula River
5. Flint River
6. Chattooga River
7. Savannah River
8. Ogeechee River
9. Oconee River
10. Ocmulgee River
11. Altamaha Rivers
Physical Features
• Along Georgia’s eastern coastline are the Barrier Islands.
• They are all located in Glynn County.
• These islands protect Georgia’s beaches on the eastern
coastline by blocking wind, sand, and water from eroding
the land.
• These islands are wildlife sanctuaries, recreation, and
tourist attractions.
• Also, known as the “Golden Isles” these islands are
named: Tybee, St. Simon, Jekyll, Cumberland, Sea
Island, Wassaw, Ossabaw, St. Catherines, and Sapelo.
Georgia’s Barrier Islands
Secret Seashore: Georgia’s Barrier
Islands (Georgia Public Broadcast, 2011)
Media Clip: http://bcove.me/kulrqy1k
Georgia’s Climate SS8G1d
• Climate refers to the average weather and
patterns of weather of a region over a long
period of time.
• Climate of a region influences the types of
homes built, the types of industries that
develop, the clothing people wear, and what
crops are grown.
• Georgia’s climate is temperate/mild, which
means it rarely has extremes of weather.
Climate
• Georgia’s population continues to grow, with
new businesses moving to the state.
• People have migrated to Georgia from other
regions of the USA, due to its temperate/mild
climate.
Climate
• Georgia’s rainfall allows for:
A. Agriculture in much of the state
B. The many rivers and streams provide drinking
water
C. Transportation
D. Electric power
Climate
• Georgia is subject to two extreme forms of
weather: tornadoes and hurricanes.
• On average, Georgia has about 20 tornadoes a
year (March through May).
• Tropical storms can turn into hurricanes if
their wind speed increases.
• Hurricanes that affect Georgia begin in the
tropical area of Atlanta Ocean, Caribbean Sea
or Gulf of Mexico.
References
Caldwell, L. A. (2010). Georgia: Its heritage and
its promise. Atlanta, GA: Clairmont Press.
Klein, P. (2005). Georgia: In the American
Experience. Atlanta, GA: McDougal Littell