Kristina Couch
5 regions of Georgia Research Paper
11-26-07
Georgia’s landscape runs from mountains in the north and northeast to coastal
plains in the southeast. These vast ranges of elevations have been categorized into five
groups. Georgia’s five regions are: Appalachian Plateau, Blue Ridge, Ridge and Valley,
Piedmont, and Coastal Plains.
The Appalachian Plateau region is a mountainous extreme located in northwest
Georgia. This area forms the western boundary of the Appalachian Mountains.
Elevation in this region ranges from 1,800-2,000 feet. The main economy in this region
is forestry and tourism. Lookout and Sand Mountains are located here.
The Blue Ridge region is an irregular sequence of mountains, ridges, and basins
located in the northeastern region of Georgia. Elevation in this region can range from
1,600-4,700+ feet. The state’s highest mountain range, Brasstown Bald or Mount
Etowah, is located here. Its peek is 4,784 feet.
The Ridge and Valley region is a series of broad, fertile valleys separated by
parallel ridges of sandstone. Elevations in the lowlands are between 700-800 feet and in
the higher ranges can be above 1,600 feet. The main economy here is manufacturing and
agriculture. This region includes the Chickamauga Valley, Armuchee Ridge, and the
Great Valley.
The Piedmont region is a series of rolling hills and occasional isolated mountains.
Elevation ranges between 400-1,500 feet. The clear difference in where the elevation
drops is called the Fall Line. The Fall Line is where rivers flow from higher elevations in
the Piedmont to the lower Coastal Plains forming waterfalls and rapids. Main economy
in this region is business and industry. The state capital and our hometown are located in
this region.
The Coastal Plains region is divided into upper and lower sections. It is located in
the southern half of Georgia. Elevation in this region can be up to 750 feet. The main
economy is agriculture with peanuts, cotton, and vegetables as the dominant crops. The
Lower Coastal Plain includes the coastal areas of the state and the Okefenokee Swamp.
Georgia’s five regions have unique characteristics to each of them. They each
have mountains, ridges, valleys, or plains for their terrain. They have been classified by
these characteristics and their locations within the state. These five regions of Georgia
are the Appalachian Plateau, Blue Ridge, Ridge and Valley, Piedmont, and the Coastal
Plain.
References:
1. The Five Regions of Georgia. Retrieved on November 26, 2007 from
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0213900/index.html
2. Hodler, T.W. and H.A. Schretter. 1986. The Atlas of Georgia. University of
Georgia Press, Physiographical Regions of Georgia. Retrieved on November 26,
2007 from
http://dromus.nhm.uga.edu/~gmnh/gawildlife/index.php?page=information/region
s
3. The New Georgia Encyclopedia. Geographic Regions of Georgia: Overview.
Retrieved on November 27, 2007 from
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-948
4. Netstate. The Geography of Georgia. Retrieved on November 27, 2007 from
http://www.netstate.com/states/geography/ga_geography.htm