Georgia Facts

From time to time the Georgia Capitol Museum is requested to provide a list of significant Georgia facts for publication. Of course, what is important to us might not seem important to anyone else. Below is a list of Georgia facts we have begun to compile, but we want your help. If you have a Georgia fact you think is interesting send it to us. If it can be verified, we will post it here and give you credit.

Click here to see a similar list of facts about the Capitol

 

  • Population (2010): 9,687,653
  • Land Area (square miles): 57,906
  • Persons Per Square Mile: 167.29
  • Admission to Statehood: January 2nd 1788
  • Statehood: 4th of the original 13 colonies
  • Capital City: Atlanta (Former – Savannah, Augusta, Louisville, Milledgeville)
  • Number of Counties: 159
  • Geographic Center: Twiggs County, 18 miles southeast of Macon
  • Highest Point: 4,784 feet, Brasstown Bald
  • Lowest Point: Sea level, Atlantic coast
  • State Motto: Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation
  • Origin of State's Name: Named for King George the 2nd of England
  • Founder of Original Colony: James Edward Oglethorpe
  • Nickname: The Peach State
  • Agriculture: Poultry and eggs, peanuts, cattle, hogs, dairy products, peaches, Vidalia onions
  • Industry: Textiles and apparel, transportation equipment, food processing, paper products, chemical products, electric equipment, tourism
  • Government: U.S. Congressional Districts – 13, U.S. Senators – 2, State Senators – 56, State Representatives – 180
  • Governor: Nathan Deal
  • Lieutenant Governor: Casey Cagle
  • Secretary of State: Brian Kemp
  • Famous Georgians:

    • James E. Carter, 39th U.S. President, Plains, Georgia
    • Rebecca Latimer Felton, first woman appointed U.S. Senator, Decatur, Georgia
    • Bobby Jones, golfer, Atlanta, Georgia
    • Martin Luther King Jr., Civil Rights leader, Atlanta, Georgia
    • Gladys Knight, singer, Atlanta, Georgia
    • Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scouts founder, Savannah, Georgia
    • Margaret Mitchell, author, Atlanta, Georgia
    • Jackie Robinson, baseball player, Cairo, Georgia
    • Clarence Thomas, Supreme Court associate justice, Savannah, Georgia
    • Alice Walker, author, Eatonton, Georgia