30c - locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features on the development of Georgia including Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee and Savannah Rivers, and barrier islands
Fall Line
The Fall Line separates the Coastal Plain from the Piedmont Plateau. It is a dramatic drop in elevation that runs through the middle of Georgia. It runs from Columbus to Augusta and it is 20 miles wide. The Fall Line also has a line of waterfalls that are very steep. Hence, the name Fall Line. It's where hilly and mountainous lands meet the Coastal Plains. According to scientists, who found shark teeth and seashells here, this Fall Line represented the previous coastline of Georgia. Here, boat travel is difficult or even impossible.
Okefenokee Swamp
THE OKEFENOKEE SWAMP WAS ONCE PART OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN FLOOR. IN CHEROKEE, IT MEANS "LAND OF THE TREMBLING EARTH." IT IS ONE OF THE MANY FEATURES OF GEORGIA'S TOPOGRAPHY. IT IS ALSO HOME TO THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, WHICH IS HOME TO OVER 1000 TYPES OF ANIMALS. IT IS THE LARGEST SWAMP IN NORTH AMERICA. THERE IS HIGH BIODIVERSITY.
Appalachian Mountains
THE APPALACHIAN PLATEAU IS THE WESTERN PART OF THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS. THIS MOUNTAIN IS THE SITE OF THE FIRST AMERICAN GOLD RUSH, WHICH WAS IN THE EARLY 1800S. TODAY, THIS REGION'S MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRY IS TOURISM. THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS PASS THROUGH NEWFOUNDLAND, SAINT PIERRE AND MIQUELON, QUEBEC, NOVA SCOTIA, NEW BRUNSWICK, MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, KENTUCKY, TENNESSEE, NEW JERSEY, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND ALABAMA..
Chattahoochee River
THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER IS GEORGIA'S MOST IMPORTANT RIVER. IT WAS AND STILL IS A MAJOR TRANSPORT ROUTE. IT CARRIES COTTON AND THEIR FREIGHT. IT IS A MAJOR SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER FOR THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA, AND FORMS PART OF GEORGIA'S WESTERN BORDER WITH ALABAMA. IT ALSO FURNISHES HYDROELECTRICITY FOR FACTORIES AND MILLS. IT FLOWS FROM THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS AND FLOWS TO ALABAMA. IT FALLS OVER THE FALL LINE FOR 20 MILES. THE CHATTAHOOCHEE IS A MAJOR WATER SOURCE GEORGIA, FLORIDA, AND ALABAMA FIGHT OVER THE UNRESTRICTED RIGHT TO USE THE RIVER. THE CHATTAHOOCHEE FLOWS TO THE SEA. IT IS STILL THE VALLEY'S MOST IMPORTANT ECONOMICAL AND ECOLOGICAL ASSET.
Savannah River
THE SAVANNAH RIVER WAS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO GEORGIA'S FIRST EUROPEAN SETTLERS. IN THE MODERN DAY, IT GETS GOODS TO AND FROM THE INTERIOR OF GEORGIA TO ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD. THIS FEATURE FLOWS ALONG GEORGIA'S EASTERN BORDER. TO ADD ON TO THAT, IT DEFINES MOST OF GEORGIA'S BORDER WITH SOUTH CAROLINA. THE SAVANNAH RIVER PROVIDES DRINKING WATER TO AUGUSTA AND SAVANNAH AND ASSIMILATES ALL OF THEIR TREATED WASTE WATER. ARCHAEOLOGISTS THINK THAT THE PALEO PEOPLE CAME FROM BERINGIA TO THE SAVANNAH RIVER IN GEORGIA. THEY ALSO THINK THAT CRUDE POTTERY ARRIVED DURING THE LATE ARCHAIC ERA SOMEWHERE CLOSE BY TO THE RIVER. IT WAS ALSO USED AS FORTS IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION BY THE REBELS.
Barrier Islands
IN GEORGIA'S EARLY DAYS, THE BARRIER ISLANDS WERE USED AS PLACES TO BUILD FORTS TO PROTECT GEORGIA'S EARLY SETTLERS AGAINST ENEMY COUNTRIES LIKE SPAIN AND AGAINST HOSTILE PIRATES. NOW, WHEN ANY TROPICAL STORMS(VIOLENT OR NOT) COMES AND HITS THE BARRIER ISLANDS, IT'S ATTACK IS LESSENED. TODAY, IT IS ALSO A MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTION.