Geographic Regions of
Georgia
SS8G1 The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical
features and location.
b. Describe the five geographic regions of Georgia; include the Blue Ridge
Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal
Plain.
c. Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features on the
development of Georgia; include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp,
Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee and Savannah Rivers, and barrier
Compare and Contrast these pictures.
What do these pictures tell you about
the different physiogeographic regions
of Georgia?
Terms to Know:
Physiogeographic
Region
Precipitation
Wetland
Barrier Island
Continental Shelf
Fall Line
Georgia has 5 physiogeographic
regions.
Appalachian Plateau
Ridge and Valley
Blue Ridge
Piedmont
Coastal Plain
The characteristics of each region
make unique contributions to our
state.
Appalachian Plateau
aka: Cumberland Plateau/ TAG
corner
Our smallest physiogeographic region
From Lookout Mt. to Sand Mt. with
ridges of limestone & a long narrow
valley in between
Soil of limestone, shale & sandstone =
hardwoods and pastureland
Our only significant coal deposits.
Economy: tourism and forestry
Ridge and Valley
Lower elevation than Appalachian
Plateau
Low open valleys and narrow ridges
Soil good for forests, pastures, and
crops such as grain and apples
Industry includes textiles and carpet
(Dalton, GA. is the carpet capital of the
world)
Blue Ridge
Highest mts. in the state including
Brasstown Bald- Georgias highest point.
Sandy loam and clay soil good for
hardwoods, vegetable farming and
apples
Beginning of Appalachian Trail, home to
Amicalola Falls, Tallulah Gorge, and
Helen, GA
Highest percent of rainfall is in the Blue
Ridge
Blue Ridge
Brasstown Bald: You
can see 3 states from
this point.
Ga. Fruits &
Vegetables
Helen, Georgia has a
strong German
influence. Why do you
think that is? How does
the town of Helen
contribute to our state?
Amicalola
Falls
Piedmont: Foot of the
mountain
Begins in the mountain foothills of N.
Georgia and goes to the central part of the
state.
Most of Georgias population live in the
Piedmont region.
Granite based foundation (Whats our
largest granite outcropping?)
Soil is sandy loam and red clay suitable for
growing hardwoods, pine, and agriculture.
Cotton belt before the Civil War, now wheat,
soybeans, corn, poultry, and cattle.
Some of the most densely populated cities
and crossed by Chattahoochee, Flint,
Ocmulgee, and Oconee rivers.
Piedmont
Georgias Flint
River starts in
Clayton County.
Why do you think
most of Georgias
rivers start in the
Why do you think
most of Georgias
major cities are
located in the
Piedmont region?
Sandy loam
and red clay
are make
good soil for
Coastal Plain
There are two parts
to Georgias coastal
plain:
The Inner Coastal
Plain
The Outer Coastal
Plain
Which color do you
think represents
the Inner Coastal
Plain and which
The Inner Coastal Plain
Good supply of underground water
Major agricultural region: Vidalia
Onions, peanuts, pecans, and corn
Why do you think President Jimmy
Carter was known as The Peanut
Farmer from Georgia during his
campaign?
The Outer Coastal Plain
Soil not good for agriculture but trees
provide naval stores and pulp
production
Deep harbors and barrier islands also
provide for tourism/recreation, fishing
industry, and ports for
importing/exporting goods.
Location of the earliest visits by
explorers, first forts for protection, and
Georgias first settlements.
Outer Coastal Plain
Trees are used to
produce pulp and naval
stores. The processed
goods are then shipped
from our shores.
Why do you think a
British flag flies over
Fort Frederica?
Our shores
continue to bring
visitors to our state.
Early map of
Savannah
Other Important Coastal Plain
Features
Okefenokee Swamp:
Covers 681 square miles making
it the largest freshwater swamp
in North America
Another type of wetland
Salt Marshes:
A wetland that is influenced by tides
Georgia ranks 4th in the nation in wetland
acres
A marsh at low tide.
marsh at high tide.
The same
Georgias Barrier Islands
Islands of Gold
Barrier islands protect the mainland from
wind, sand, and water that cause erosion.
Georgia has 18 barrier islands.
These islands are tourist destinations but
2/3 of the land remains wilderness
sanctuaries.
During colonial times grew indigo and rice
Other Georgia Geographic
Features
Continental Shelf:
Where the land meets the sea
The Fall Line:
Where hilly land meets the coastal plain
Runs from Columbus through Macon to
Augusta
Prevented exploration but provided for
settlements
Rivers
Chattahoochee River: Borders Georgia and
Alabama. Mainly used as a water source
for millions of Georgians. It also is used
for industry and recreational purposes.
Savannah River: Borders Georgia and South
Carolina. The river is navigable between
Savannah and Augusta. The river is used
for shipping, a source of drinking water,
and to cool off two nuclear power plants,
and to generate hydroelectric power.
