Key Physical Features of Georgia

1
Key Physical Features of Georgia
2
The Fall Line

• The point where the hills of the Piedmont meets
  the flat Coastal Plain.
• Runs from Columbus, through Macon and into
  Augusta.
• Other cities along the fall line include
  Milledgville, Roberta, Thomason, and Warrenton

3
Why is the Fall Line important?

• It was an excellent source of water power for
  early settlers and factories.

4
The Barrier Islands

• The 14 islands have more than 100 miles of
  coastline
• Were called the Islands of Gold by the early
  Spanish explorers
• The islands protect Georgias beaches
• 2/3s of the land remains a wilderness sanctuary

5
The Okefenokee Swamp

• The Okefenokee is part of the Coastal Plain
  region
• Located South of Wacross, Georgia
• First visited by the early explorers (Spanish)
• Has an area of 681 square miles (438,000 acres)
  making it the 4th largest wetland in North
  America
• Wetland-low-lying area where water lies close to
  the surface creating swamps, bogs, ponds, and
  freshwater marshes

6
Why is the Okefenokee important?

• Wildlife refuge
• Tourism for campers and nature lovers

7
The Appalachian Mountains

• The Appalachian Mountains are part of the Blue
  Ridge region
• The Appalachian Mountains stretch from Alabama to
  New York
• Formed by colliding continental plates millions
  of years ago

8
Why are the Appalachian Mountains important?

• Tourism for hikers and campers
• Source for many of Georgias rivers

9
The Chattahoochee River

• Creek for river of the pointed rock
• Flows 436 miles from the Appalachian Mountains in
  North Georgia to the Gulf of Mexico in Florida
• The Southern section forms the border between
  Georgia and Alabama

10
Why is it important?

• It provides much of the drinking water for the
  Atlanta area.

11
The Savannah River

• Located mostly in Georgias Coastal Plain region
• The Savannah River is one of Georgias two
  deepwater ports

12
How does the Savannah River help Georgias
economy?

• Its a center for shipping and fishing