Georgia is ninth in size according to population but twenty third in size according to land mass. It is also predominately democratic and Christian as far as religion and politics. It is filled with 159 counties that are governed under “home rule.” Meaning each county can pass its own legislation as though it were a municipality or city. The only other state with more counties then Georgia is the state of Texas.
Georgia, also known as the peach state is located on the south eastern side of the United States. Georgia is a hot, humid subtropical state that frequently gets hurricanes, tropical storms and tornados. People who live in this state, are urged to have an hurricane emergency kit fully stocked at all times, but especially by the beginning of hurricane season. (Hurricane season is from the beginning of June to the end of November).
One of the largest evacuations took place in ,a href=”http://www.georgia.gov/”>Georgia, Florida and South Carolina as three million people left their homes to avoid Hurricane Floyd in 1999. It is expected if you live in Georgia during hurricane season you know you might need to leave at a moments notice. There are radio stations and warnings everywhere that urge residents to have a plan, and keep their cars full of gas “just incase.” Hurricane Katrina is the most well known hurricane to have hit Georgia and the effects of that hurricane are still being dealt with today.
Fishing is a popular hobby and activity in Georgia for both residents and tourists. Fresh water game fish include trout, bass and of course catfish. Deep sea fishing is also an option, with the Atlantic Ocean making up part of the Eastern border of Georgia. Popular fishing options for salt water game fish include flounder, tarpon and spotted sea trout. Crab, mussels and shrimp can also be found both inshore and offshore the Georgia coastline.
Georgia boasts world’s largest aquarium, located in downtown Atlanta. The georgia aquarium is home to three manta rays, the only manta’s alive in captivity throughout the United States. It took almost two million pounds of salt and over six million gallons of water to fill the Georgia Aquarium. It can also boast of the most variety of sea life than any other aquarium, being filled with not only fish, sharks, whales and mantas, but also home to penguins and sea otters.
It is easy to see how Georgia got its nickname “The Peach State.” Forty varieties of peaches are grown in this state alone and every year Georgia is responsible for one hundred and thirty million pounds of peaches that are shipped and sold throughout North America. Other foods that Georgia is well known for is its pecans and its plums. There are baking contests almost constantly throughout Georgia as residents try to prove that their pecan or peach pie is better then everyone else’s.
The most well known person to come out of the state of Georgia would be the 39th President of the United States James Earl Carter Junior who was President from 1977 to 1981.