Georgia

• Capitol: Atlanta
• Largest City: Atlanta
• Nickname: Hawkeye Peach State
• State Bird: Brown Thrasher
• State Tree: Live Oak
• State Flower: Cherokee Rose
• Land Area: 59,400 square miles
• Motto: Wisdom, Justice and Moderation
• Named for England's King George II

Beginnings [1]

Georgia, founded in 1732, is one of the original 13 states. It was named in honor of England's King George II. Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi; the state's large size and thriving industries have given it one of its nicknames, the Empire State of the South. During the Civil War, the fall of Atlanta was a crucial turning point in the defeat of the South. Today, Atlanta, which became Georgia's capital in 1868, is a thriving city with major national corporations, and it is considered the economic and cultural center of the Southeast. The natural beauty and famous seaside resorts of Georgia are a major attraction for tourists. Many beautiful monuments and parks, including reminders of important Civil War battles and heroes, dot the Georgia countryside.

1. U.S. Department of State, usinfo.state.gov, accessed December, 2007