GEOGRAPHY OF GEORGIA PHYSIOGRAPHIC REGIONS PH S S

GEOGRAPHY OF GEORGIA PHYSIOGRAPHIC REGIONS

PH S ’ S A N I O G I R G O E E R G IC H P A R G YSIO

APPALACHIAN PLATEAU REGION • Physical Characteristics • Former Appalachian Mountains worn by weather • Limestone caused many caves to form • Elevation ranges from 200 -800 feet above sea level • Climate • Average temperatures: Lows in the 20 s in the winter, Highs in the 80 s in summer • Average snowfall each year of 5 inches • Agriculture • Lands used for pastures (cattle, pigs) • Soybeans • Corn

APPALACHIAN PLATEAU REGION • Economic Contributions • Coal **only region in GA with coal • Iron Ore • Mining • Forestry (hardwood trees) • Interesting Features • TAG Corner • Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia • Rappelling & Cave Exploration • Cloudland Canyon

RIDGE & VALLEY REGION • Physical Characteristics • Ridges formed by harder rocks • Valleys formed by softer rocks • 700 -800 feet above sea level • Divided from the App. Mtns. By the Cartersiville – Great Valley fault system • Climate • Mild Summers and Mild Winters • Agriculture • Fertile soil for growing: Corn, Soybeans, Wheat & Cotton

RIDGE & VALLEY REGION • Economic Contributions • Farming/Agriculture • Textile Production • Largest producer of Carpets in the world • Timber/Forestry • Interesting Features • A fault line runs through the region

BLUE RIDGE REGION • Physical Characteristics • Elevation from 1600 to 4700+ feet above sea level • This band of mountains runs from GA to VA • Rapid streams and waterfalls • Climate • Weather is cooler due to higher elevation • Receives most precipitation in the state (average of 80 inches • Some snowfall during winter • Coldest weather between October-April • Agriculture • Apples • Corn

BLUE RIDGE REGION • Economic Contributions • Gold • Marble • Timber (Oak & Hickory) • Tourism** • Interesting Features • Highest point in GA @ Brasstown Bald • Appalachian Trail begins here and runs north to Maine

PIEDMONT REGION • Physical Characteristics • Rolling/sloping hills • Granite • Red Clay soils, fertile soils • Fall Line along southern end • Climate • Moderate rainfall • Cool Winters (avg temps in 50 s) • Hot Summers (avg temps in high 80 s) • Agriculture • Wheat, Soybeans, Cotton, Cattle for beef & dairy, Poultry

PIEDMONT REGION • Economic Contributions • Granite mining • Shipping goods down river • Fur Trading • Farming/Agriculture • Craftsmen • Factories • Forestry • Tourism • Interesting Features • Most of the state’s population lives here • Stone Mountain is just a big granite rock • Large cities are located on Fall Line

COASTAL PLAIN REGION • Physical Characteristics • Largest region: divided into Inner & Outer Coastal Plain • Limestone soil near Fall Line • Sandy soils • Marshy areas • Climate • Heavier rainfall near coast • Humid/tropical • Mild Winters (Avg. temps high 50 s • Hot Summers (Avg. temps 90 s)

COASTAL PLAIN REGION • Agriculture • Largest farming area: Peanuts, Peaches, Pecans, Rice, Cotton, Vidalia Onions, Cattle, Pigs • Economic Contributions • Agriculture • Logging/Forestry • Industry (Pine/Paper) • Shipping • Tourism • Interesting Facts • Was once covered by the ocean • Providence Canyon, one of Georgia’s 7 Natural Wonders