The State of Georgia: A Comprehensive Reference

Georgia, officially the State of Georgia, is a southeastern state occupying the last of the original Thirteen Colonies to be established, founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe and chartered by King George II of Great Britain. Ratifying the United States Constitution on January 2, 1788, Georgia became the fourth state admitted to the Union. With an estimated population exceeding 11 million residents as of the most recent census estimates, Georgia ranks as the eighth most populous state in the nation. The state encompasses 59,425 square miles of total area, making it the 24th largest state by land area, and is organized into 159 counties -- the second highest number of any state in the nation, behind only Texas with its 254 counties.

The state capital and largest city is Atlanta, which serves as the economic, cultural, and transportation hub not only of Georgia but of the broader Southeastern United States. While Atlanta proper has a population of approximately 500,000, the Atlanta metropolitan statistical area encompasses 29 counties and is home to more than 6.2 million people, making it the sixth largest metropolitan area in the nation. Atlanta's dominance in the state's economic life is unparalleled -- the metro area generates the vast majority of Georgia's gross domestic product and houses the headquarters of numerous Fortune 500 corporations including The Coca-Cola Company, The Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, United Parcel Service, and Southern Company.

Geography and Climate

Georgia's geography is remarkably diverse for a southeastern state, spanning five distinct physiographic regions from the Appalachian Mountains in the north to the Atlantic coastal plain in the southeast. The Blue Ridge Mountains in the state's northeastern corner include Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest point at 4,784 feet above sea level. South of the Blue Ridge lies the Ridge and Valley province, characterized by parallel ridges and fertile valleys. The Piedmont Plateau, which includes Atlanta and much of the state's population, occupies the central portion of the state, giving way to the Coastal Plain that covers the southern two-thirds of Georgia's land area. The Fall Line, where the Piedmont meets the Coastal Plain, runs roughly through Columbus, Macon, and Augusta, and historically marked the limit of river navigation.

Georgia's climate is predominantly humid subtropical, with hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters. Northern Georgia experiences more moderate temperatures due to elevation, with occasional winter snowfall in the mountains. Average summer temperatures across the state range from the upper 70s in the mountains to the low 90s in the southern Coastal Plain. Rainfall is generally well-distributed throughout the year, averaging 50 inches annually statewide, though the mountainous northeast receives significantly more precipitation. The state is susceptible to severe weather including tornadoes, and the coastal areas face exposure to tropical storms and hurricanes during the Atlantic hurricane season from June through November.

Major Metropolitan Areas

Georgia's population is heavily concentrated in the Atlanta metropolitan area, but several other urban centers play significant roles in the state's economic and cultural landscape.

Metro Atlanta

The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metropolitan statistical area is the dominant economic force in the State of Georgia, encompassing 29 counties and more than 6.2 million residents. The core counties of Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett collectively house the majority of the metro's population and economic activity. Atlanta serves as the headquarters city for 18 Fortune 500 companies, more than any city in the Southeast. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic, handling more than 93 million passengers annually. The city has earned the moniker "Hollywood of the South" for its booming film and television production industry, which generates billions in annual economic impact. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), headquartered in Atlanta's DeKalb County, is one of the most prominent federal agencies in the nation. For comprehensive contractor and trade service information in the Atlanta area, see Atlanta Contractor Authority and ATL Contractor Authority. For detailed regional coverage, see Metro Atlanta.

Savannah and Coastal Georgia

Savannah, Georgia's oldest city and the seat of Chatham County, anchors the state's coastal economy. The Port of Savannah, operated by the Georgia Ports Authority, is the third busiest container port in the United States by TEU volume and the single largest single-terminal container facility in North America. This massive port operation drives a logistics and distribution ecosystem that extends far inland along the Interstate 16 and Interstate 95 corridors. Savannah's historic district, one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the country, supports a tourism economy complemented by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). The Golden Isles -- St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Sea Island, and Little St. Simons Island -- represent premier resort and retirement destinations. For detailed coverage, see Coastal Georgia.

Augusta

Augusta, consolidated with Richmond County as Augusta-Richmond County, is Georgia's second-largest city by population within its metropolitan area. Situated on the Savannah River at the South Carolina border, Augusta is globally recognized as the home of Augusta National Golf Club and The Masters Tournament, one of professional golf's four major championships. The city's economy is significantly anchored by military installations, particularly Fort Eisenhower (formerly Fort Gordon), which houses the United States Army Cyber Center of Excellence and the National Security Agency's Georgia operations. The Augusta University and Medical College of Georgia complex is the state's only public academic medical center. For detailed coverage, see Richmond County.

Columbus

Columbus, consolidated with Muscogee County, is situated on the Chattahoochee River along the Alabama border. The city's economy is deeply intertwined with Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning), one of the largest military installations in the United States and home to the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence. Aflac, the supplemental insurance giant, is headquartered in Columbus. For detailed coverage, see Muscogee County.

Georgia's Regions

Georgia is commonly divided into several geographic and cultural regions, each shaped by distinct geography, economic patterns, and historical development. These regions do not correspond to formal governmental boundaries but reflect the way Georgians understand their state's considerable internal diversity.

Metro Atlanta is the state's dominant urban region, radiating outward from the city of Atlanta through the suburban and exurban counties of North Georgia and the northern Piedmont. The metro area is the center of Georgia's corporate economy, its film industry, and its cultural life. Explore Metro Atlanta.

North Georgia and the Mountains encompasses the Appalachian foothills, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the corridor from Dalton through Gainesville. This region is characterized by the carpet manufacturing industry centered in Dalton (which produces roughly 90 percent of the world's carpet), the poultry industry centered in Gainesville, and a growing tourism economy built around mountain recreation. Explore North Georgia.

Middle Georgia centers on Macon and Warner Robins, straddling the Fall Line between the Piedmont and the Coastal Plain. Robins Air Force Base in Houston County is the largest single-site industrial employer in the state, and the region maintains significant agricultural production alongside its military-driven economy. Explore Middle Georgia.

Coastal Georgia stretches along the Atlantic seaboard from Savannah south through Brunswick and the Golden Isles. The Port of Savannah dominates the regional economy, complemented by tourism, military operations at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, and the pulp and paper industry. Explore Coastal Georgia.

South Georgia is the state's agricultural heartland, a largely rural region characterized by row crop agriculture, timber, and small to mid-sized cities including Valdosta, Albany, and Tifton. Moody Air Force Base near Valdosta provides a significant military presence. Explore South Georgia.

The Augusta Area in eastern Georgia centers on the state's second-largest metro area, defined by its military installations, healthcare sector, and the global prominence of The Masters Tournament. Explore Richmond County and Augusta.

For an overview of all regions with geographic context and key statistics, see Georgia Regions Overview.

Economy

Georgia possesses the eighth largest gross domestic product of any U.S. state, exceeding $730 billion annually. If Georgia were an independent nation, its economy would rank among the top thirty in the world. The state's economic base is broadly diversified across several major sectors, with an unusual concentration of corporate headquarters activity for a state of its size.

Film and Entertainment has transformed Georgia into the third-largest filming destination in the world, behind only California and the United Kingdom. Georgia's generous film tax credit program, combined with purpose-built studio facilities such as Tyler Perry Studios, Pinewood Atlanta Studios (now Trilith Studios), and numerous smaller facilities, has attracted blockbuster films and major television productions. The industry generates an estimated $4 billion or more in annual economic impact.

Logistics and Transportation represents a defining competitive advantage. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world's busiest airport. The Port of Savannah is the third-busiest container port in the nation. Georgia's location at the intersection of major interstate highways (I-75, I-85, I-20, I-95, I-16) and its extensive freight rail network make it a premier logistics hub. For contractor and commercial building services throughout the state, see Georgia Commercial Authority and Georgia Contractor Authority.

Agriculture remains a vital economic sector, with the state ranking first nationally in the production of broiler chickens, peanuts, and pecans. Georgia is also a leading producer of cotton, blueberries, and sweet Vidalia onions. The state's agricultural sector generates approximately $14 billion in farm gate value annually. Despite the popular association with peaches (Georgia is nicknamed "The Peach State"), the state actually ranks third or fourth in peach production behind California, South Carolina, and sometimes New Jersey.

Military and Defense installations contribute an estimated $35 billion annually to Georgia's economy. Major installations include Fort Moore (Columbus), Fort Eisenhower (Augusta), Robins Air Force Base (Warner Robins), Moody Air Force Base (Valdosta), Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, Hunter Army Airfield (Savannah), and Fort Stewart (Hinesville). Georgia hosts more active-duty military personnel than nearly any other state.

Corporate Headquarters activity is concentrated in Metro Atlanta, which is home to 18 Fortune 500 company headquarters including The Coca-Cola Company, The Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, United Parcel Service, Southern Company, Aflac, NCR Voyix, Genuine Parts Company, and Intercontinental Exchange.

For comprehensive economic data and industry analysis, see Georgia Economy and Industries.

Government

Georgia operates under its Constitution of 1983, the tenth constitution in the state's history. The state government comprises three branches: an executive branch headed by the Governor, a bicameral General Assembly consisting of a 56-member Senate and a 180-member House of Representatives, and a judicial branch headed by the Supreme Court of Georgia. The Governor serves a four-year term and may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.

Local government in Georgia operates through its 159 counties, a number exceeded only by Texas. This large number of counties -- many of them quite small in both area and population -- is a distinctive feature of Georgia's governmental landscape and reflects the historical standard that every county seat should be reachable by a one-day round trip on horseback from any point within the county. County governments in Georgia operate under one of several organizational forms, including sole commissioner, board of commissioners, and county manager structures. Many of Georgia's larger urban areas have consolidated city-county governments, including Augusta-Richmond County, Columbus-Muscogee County, and Athens-Clarke County.

For detailed information on Georgia's governmental structure, see Georgia Government Structure.

Using This Reference

The Georgia State Authority serves as a comprehensive reference for understanding the State of Georgia -- its geography, economy, government, and regional character. Each section of this site provides detailed, factual information drawn from official state and federal sources. Regional pages offer in-depth profiles of Georgia's distinct geographic areas, while statewide pages address topics that cross regional boundaries.

For questions about specific industries, professional services, or local trade requirements in Georgia, the Authority Network America maintains specialized reference sites for communities and industries across the state. These resources can be accessed through the regional pages or through the Get Help page. The network includes statewide resources such as Georgia HVAC Authority, Georgia Electrical Authority, Georgia Plumbing Authority, Georgia Roof Authority, and many others covering trades and professional services throughout the state.

For common questions about Georgia and how to use this reference, see our Frequently Asked Questions page.