Editing Georgia (U.S. state) (section)

==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of Georgia (U.S. state)}}
[[File:Road to Brasstown Summit.jpg|thumb|Road to [[Brasstown Bald]]]]
[[File:Jekyll Island.jpg|thumb|[[Jekyll Island]]]]
[[File:Taxodium ascendens Okefenokee 5.jpg|thumb|[[Okefenokee Swamp]]]]

===Boundaries===
Beginning from the Atlantic Ocean, the state's eastern border with South Carolina runs up the [[Savannah River]], northwest to its origin at the [[confluence]] of the [[Tugaloo River|Tugaloo]] and [[Seneca River (South Carolina)|Seneca Rivers]]. It then continues up the Tugaloo (originally Tugalo) and into the [[Chattooga River]], its most significant [[tributary]]. These bounds were decided in the 1797 [[Treaty of Beaufort]], and tested in the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] in the two ''[[Georgia v. South Carolina]]'' cases in 1923 and 1989.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

The border then takes a sharp turn around the tip of [[Rabun County, Georgia|Rabun County]], at [[35th parallel north|latitude 35°N]], though from this point it diverges slightly south (due to inaccuracies in the original survey, conducted in 1818).<ref name=saporta/> This northern border was originally the Georgia and North Carolina border all the way to the [[Mississippi River]], until [[Tennessee]] was divided from [[North Carolina]], and the Yazoo companies induced the legislature of Georgia to pass an act, approved by the governor in 1795, to sell the greater part of Georgia's territory presently comprising [[Alabama]] and [[Mississippi]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fcoybLve0aQC&pg=PA30 |author=Ulrich Bonnell Phillips|title= Georgia and state rights: a study of the political history of Georgia from the Revolution to the Civil War|publisher=Annual Report of American Historical Association for the 57th US Congress, 1901|page=30|access-date=October 23, 2012|year=1902}}</ref>

The state's western border runs in a straight line south-southeastward from a point southwest of [[Chattanooga, Tennessee|Chattanooga]], to meet the [[Chattahoochee River]] near [[West Point, Georgia|West Point]]. It continues downriver to the point where it joins the [[Flint River (Georgia)|Flint River]] (the confluence of the two forming Florida's [[Apalachicola River]]); the southern border goes almost due east and very slightly south, in a straight line to the [[St. Marys River (Florida/Georgia)|St. Mary's River]], which then forms the remainder of the boundary back to the ocean.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

The water boundaries are still set to be the original [[thalweg]] of the rivers. Since then, several have been inundated by lakes created by dams, including the [[ACF River Basin|Apalachicola/Chattahoochee/Flint]] point now under [[Lake Seminole]].{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

An 1818 survey erroneously placed Georgia's border with Tennessee {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} south of the intended location of the 35th parallel north.<ref name=saporta>{{cite news|last=Morton|first=William J.|date=April 4, 2016|title=How Georgia got its northern boundary – and why we can't get water from the Tennessee River|url=https://saportareport.com/georgia-got-northern-boundary-cant-get-water-tennessee-river/|work=Saporta Report|location=Atlanta|access-date=April 9, 2019}}</ref> State legislators [[Tennessee–Georgia water dispute|still dispute this placement]], as correction of this inaccuracy would allow Georgia access to water from the [[Tennessee River]].<ref>{{cite news |title=In drought, water found: next door |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-feb-10-na-water10-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 10, 2008}}</ref>

===Geology and terrain===
{{Main|Geology of Georgia (U.S. state)}}
[[File:Map of Georgia elevations.png|thumb|USGS map of Georgia elevations]]

Georgia consists of five principal [[physiographic regions of the United States|physiographic regions]]: The [[Cumberland Plateau]], [[Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians]], [[Blue Ridge Mountains]], [[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]], and the [[Atlantic coastal plain]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Georgia Overview |url=https://narsal.uga.edu/gap/georgia/ |website=uga.edu |publisher=Natural Resources Spatial Analysis Lab, University of Georgia |access-date=August 15, 2021 |location=Athens, Georgia}}</ref> Each region has its own distinctive characteristics. For instance, the  region, which lies in the northwest corner of the state, includes limestone, sandstone, shale, and other sedimentary rocks, which have yielded construction-grade limestone, barite, ocher, and small amounts of coal.

===Ecology===
{{Main|Ecology of Georgia (U.S. state){{!}}Ecology of Georgia}}

===Flora===

The state of Georgia has approximately 250 tree species and 58 protected plants. Georgia's native trees include [[Juniperus virginiana|red cedar]], a variety of pines, oaks, hollies, [[Taxodium|cypress]], [[Liquidambar styraciflua|sweetgum]], scaly-bark and white [[hickory|hickories]], and [[sabal palmetto]]. East Georgia is in the subtropical coniferous forest biome and conifer species as other broadleaf evergreen flora make up the majority of the southern and coastal regions. [[Gelsemium sempervirens|Yellow jasmine]] and [[Kalmia latifolia|mountain laurel]] make up just a few of the flowering shrubs in the state.

===Fauna===

[[White-tailed deer]] are found in nearly all counties of Georgia. The [[northern mockingbird]] and [[brown thrasher]] are among the 160 bird species that live in the state.<ref name="city-data">{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/states/Georgia-Flora-and-fauna.html |title=Georgia—Flora and fauna |publisher=City-data.com |access-date=July 27, 2014}}</ref>

Reptiles include the [[eastern diamondback]], [[Agkistrodon contortrix|copperhead]], and [[Agkistrodon piscivorus|cottonmouth]] snakes as well as [[alligator]]s; amphibians include [[salamander]]s, [[frog]]s and [[toad]]s. There are about 79 species of reptile and 63 amphibians known to live in Georgia.<ref name="city-data"/> The Argentine black and white tegu is currently an invasive species in Georgia. It poses a problem to local wildlife by chasing down and killing many native species and dominating habitats.<ref>Tegus - Georgia Invasive Species Task Force {{Full citation needed|date=December 2021}}</ref>

The most popular freshwater game fish<!-- not sure "gamefish" should be here per se. More under tourism perhaps. --> are [[trout]], [[bream]], [[bass (fish)|bass]], and [[catfish]], all but the last of which are produced in state hatcheries for restocking. Popular saltwater game fish include [[red drum]], [[spotted seatrout]], [[flounder]], and [[tarpon]]. [[Porpoise]]s, whales, [[shrimp]], [[oyster]]s, and [[Callinectes sapidus|blue crabs]] are found inshore and offshore of the Georgia coast.<ref name="city-data"/>

===Climate===
{{Main|Climate of Georgia (U.S. state)}}{{Further|Climate change in Georgia (U.S. state)}}
[[File:Georgia Köppen.png|thumb|[[Köppen climate classification]] types of Georgia]]
[[File:Storm of the century satellite.gif|thumb|upright|Image of March [[1993 Storm of the Century]] covering the length of the east coast. The outline of Georgia is discernible in the center of the image.]]

The majority of the state is primarily a [[humid subtropical climate]]. Hot and humid summers are typical, except at the highest elevations. The entire state, including the [[North Georgia mountains]], receives moderate to heavy precipitation, which varies from 45&nbsp;inches (1143&nbsp;mm) in central Georgia<ref>[http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USGA0346?from=search Monthly Averages for Macon, GA] ''The Weather Channel''.</ref> to approximately 75&nbsp;inches (1905&nbsp;mm) around the northeast part of the state.<ref>[http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USGA0118?from=search Monthly Averages for Clayton, GA] ''The Weather Channel''.</ref> The degree to which the weather of a certain region of Georgia is subtropical depends on the latitude, its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean or [[Gulf of Mexico]], and the elevation. The latter factor is felt chiefly in the mountainous areas of the northern part of the state, which are farther away from the ocean and can be 4500 feet (1350 m) above sea level. The USDA plant [[hardiness zone]]s for Georgia range from zone 6b (no colder than {{convert|-5|F}}) in the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]] to zone 8b (no colder than {{convert|15|F}} ) along the [[Atlantic]] coast and Florida border.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-georgia-usda-plant-zone-hardiness-map.php |title=Georgia USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref>

The highest temperature ever recorded is 112&nbsp;°F (44.4&nbsp;°C) in [[Louisville, Georgia|Louisville]] on July 24, 1952,<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/weather/wheat7.htm Each state's high temperature record] ''USA Today, last updated August 2004''.</ref> while the lowest is −17&nbsp;°F (−27.2&nbsp;°C) in northern [[Floyd County, Georgia|Floyd County]] on January 27, 1940.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.usatoday.com/weather/wcstates.htm| title = Each state's low temperature record| website = [[USA Today]]}} ''USA Today, last updated August 2006''</ref> Georgia is one of the leading states in frequency of [[tornado]]es, though they are rarely stronger than [[Enhanced Fujita scale|EF1]]. Although tornadoes striking the city are very rare,<ref name="scientificamerican.com">{{cite web|last1=Wurman|first1=Joshua|title=Why don't tornadoes hit cities more often?|url=http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/experts-tornadoes-cities/|website=scientificamerican.com|access-date=June 10, 2016}}</ref> an EF2 tornado<ref name="scientificamerican.com"/> hit downtown Atlanta on March 14, 2008, causing moderate to severe damage to various buildings. With a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, Georgia is also vulnerable to [[hurricane]]s, although direct hurricane strikes were rare during the 20th century. Georgia often is affected by hurricanes that strike the [[Florida Panhandle]], weaken over land, and bring strong [[tropical storm]] winds and heavy rain to the interior, a recent example being [[Hurricane Michael]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weather.gov/ffc/2018_hurricane_michael|title=Hurricane Michael Hits Georgia|last=US Department of Commerce|first=NOAA|website=www.weather.gov|access-date=May 5, 2019}}</ref> as well as hurricanes that come close to the Georgia coastline, brushing the coast on their way north without ever making landfall. [[Hurricane Matthew|Hurricane Matthew of 2016]] and [[Hurricane Dorian|Hurricane Dorian of 2019]] did just that.

{| class="wikitable" "text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|
|+ Monthly average daily high and low temperatures for major Georgia cities
|- style="background: #E5AFAA;text-align:center;"
! City
! Jan
! Feb
! Mar
! Apr
! May
! Jun
! Jul
! Aug
! Sep
! Oct
! Nov
! Dec
|- style="background: #F8F3CA;text-align:center;"
! Athens
| 51/11<br />33/1
| 56/13<br />35/2
| 65/18<br />42/6
| 73/23<br />49/9
| 80/27<br />58/14
| 87/31<br />65/18
| 90/32<br />69/21
| 88/31<br />68/20
| 82/28<br />63/17
| 73/23<br />51/11
| 63/17<br />42/6
| 54/12<br />35/2
|- style="background: #C5DFE1;text-align:center;"
! Atlanta
| 52/11<br />34/1
| 57/14<br />36/2
| 65/18<br />44/7
| 73/23<br />50/10
| 80/27<br />60/16
| 86/30<br />67/19
| 89/32<br />71/22
| 88/31<br />70/21
| 82/28<br />64/18
| 73/23<br />53/12
| 63/17<br />44/7
| 55/13<br />36/2
|- style="background: #F8F3CA;text-slide:center;"
! Augusta
| 56/13<br />33/1
| 61/16<br />36/4
| 69/21<br />42/6
| 77/25<br />48/9
| 84/29<br />57/14
| 90/32<br />65/18
| 92/33<br />70/21
| 90/32<br />68/20
| 85/29<br />62/17
| 76/24<br />50/10
| 68/20<br />41/5
| 59/15<br />35/2
|- style="background: #C5DFE1;text-align:center;"
! Columbus
| 57/14<br />37/3
| 62/17<br />39/4
| 69/21<br />46/8
| 76/24<br />52/11
| 83/28<br />61/16
| 90/32<br />69/21
| 92/33<br />72/22
| 91/32<br />72/22
| 86/30<br />66/19
| 77/25<br />54/12
| 68/20<br />46/8
| 59/15<br />39/4
|- style="background: #F8F3CA;text-align:center;"
! Macon
| 57/14<br />34/1
| 61/16<br />37/3
| 68/20<br />44/7
| 76/24<br />50/10
| 83/28<br />59/15
| 90/32<br />67/19
| 92/33<br />70/21
| 90/32<br />70/21
| 85/29<br />64/18
| 77/25<br />51/11
| 68/20<br />42/6
| 59/15<br />36/2
|- style="background: #C5DFE1;text-align:center;"
! Savannah
| 60/16<br />38/3
| 64/18<br />41/5
| 71/22<br />48/9
| 78/26<br />53/12
| 84/29<br />61/16
| 90/32<br />68/20
| 92/33<br />72/22
| 90/32<br />71/22
| 86/30<br />67/19
| 78/26<br />56/13
| 70/21<br />47/8
| 63/17<br />40/4
|-
| colspan="13" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;background:#E8EAFA;"|''Temperatures are given in °F/°C format, with highs on top of lows.''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weatherbyday.com/georgia/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710035549/http://www.weatherbyday.com/georgia/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 10, 2009 |title=Weather By Day Georgia |publisher=Weatherbyday.com |access-date=October 24, 2010}}</ref>
|}

Due to anthropogenic [[climate change]], the climate of Georgia is warming. This is already causing major disruption, for example, from sea level rise (Georgia is more vulnerable to it than many other states because its land is sinking) and further warming will increase it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/06/global-warming-american-south/532200/|title=The American South Will Bear the Worst of Climate Change's Costs|first=Robinson|last=Meyer|publisher=[[The Atlantic]]|date=June 29, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Georgia Coastal Flooding |url=https://statesatrisk.org/georgia/coastal-flooding |website=States at risk |publisher=Climate Central |access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref name="EPA">{{cite web|url=https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/climate-change-ga.pdf|title=What Climate Change Means for Georgia|publisher=[[United States Environmental Protection Agency]]|date=August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shepherd |first1=Marshall |title=Georgia Had Its Warmest Year On Record In 2019 – Here are 5 'So Whats?' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2020/01/09/georgia-had-its-warmest-year-on-record-in-2019here-are-5-so-whats/?sh=32cfec6f7392 |access-date=January 3, 2021 |agency=Forbes |date=January 9, 2020}}</ref>

=== Major cities ===
{{See also|Georgia census statistical areas}}
[[File:Atlanta cityscape.jpg|thumb|[[Downtown Atlanta]]]]

[[Atlanta]], located in north-central Georgia at the [[Eastern Continental Divide]], has been Georgia's [[List of capitals in the United States|capital city]] since 1868. It is the most populous city in Georgia, with a 2020 U.S. Census population of just over 498,000.<ref name="PopEstCities">{{cite web|url= https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2010s-total-cities-and-towns.html|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2010–2019|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division|access-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref>

The [[Atlanta metropolitan area]] is the cultural and economic center of the [[Southeastern United States|Southeast]]; its official population in 2020 was over 6&nbsp;million, or 57% of Georgia's total. Atlanta is the nation's [[table of United States Metropolitan Statistical Areas|ninth largest metropolitan area]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://proximityone.com/metros0010.htm|title=Metropolitan Area Population & Housing Patterns: 2000–2010|publisher=Proximityone.com|access-date=October 23, 2012}}</ref>

The state has seventeen cities with populations over 50,000, based on official 2020 U.S. Census data.<ref name="PopEstCities" />

{{Largest cities
| country      = Georgia
| stat_ref     = [[2020 United States census|2020 U.S. census]] populations
| name_link    = List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state)
| div_link     = List of counties in Georgia{{!}}County
| city_1 = Atlanta{{!}}Atlanta
| div_1 = Fulton County, Georgia{{!}}Fulton{{Square bracket close|2}}, {{Square bracket open|2}}DeKalb County, Georgia{{!}}DeKalb
| pop_1 = 498,715
| img_1 = Atlanta Skyline from Buckhead.jpg
| city_2 = Columbus, Georgia{{!}}Columbus
| div_2 = Muscogee County, Georgia{{!}}Muscogee
| pop_2 = 206,922
| img_2 = Columbus Georgia skyline.jpeg
| city_3 = Augusta, Georgia{{!}}Augusta
| div_3 = Richmond County, Georgia{{!}}Richmond
| pop_3 = 202,081
| img_3 = Augustagaskyline.jpg
| city_4 = Macon, Georgia{{!}}Macon
| div_4 = Bibb County, Georgia{{!}}Bibb
| pop_4 = 157,346
| img_4 = MaconSkyline.JPG
| city_5 = Savannah, Georgia{{!}}Savannah
| div_5 = Chatham County, Georgia{{!}}Chatham
| pop_5 = 147,780
| city_6 = Athens, Georgia{{!}}Athens
| div_6 = Clarke County, Georgia{{!}}Clarke
| pop_6 = 127,315
| city_7 = Sandy Springs, Georgia{{!}}Sandy Springs
| div_7 = Fulton County, Georgia{{!}}Fulton
| pop_7 = 108,080
| city_8 = South Fulton, Georgia{{!}}South Fulton
| div_8 = Fulton County, Georgia{{!}}Fulton
| pop_8 = 107,436
| city_9 = Roswell, Georgia{{!}}Roswell
| div_9 = Cobb County, Georgia{{!}}Cobb{{Square bracket close|2}}, {{Square bracket open|2}}Fulton County, Georgia{{!}}Fulton
| pop_9 = 92,833
| city_10 = Johns Creek, Georgia{{!}}Johns Creek
| div_10 = Fulton County, Georgia{{!}}Fulton
| pop_10 = 82,453
}}

Along with the rest of the Southeast, Georgia's population continues to grow rapidly, with primary gains concentrated in urban areas. The U.S. Census Bureau lists [[List of metropolitan areas in Georgia (U.S. state)|fourteen metropolitan areas]] in the state. The population of the Atlanta metropolitan area added 1.23&nbsp;million people (24 percent) between 2000 and 2010, and Atlanta rose in rank from the eleventh-largest metropolitan area in the United States to the ninth-largest.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/national/atlanta-moves-9th-largest-metro-area/MZ3Ns1PQ5w8pUAzZrnLqlJ/ |title=Atlanta moves to 9th largest US Metro area |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |publisher=www.ajc.com |access-date=June 4, 2021|last1=Tagami |first1=Ty }}</ref>