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Digital Library of Georgia
COLONY: Founded by James Oglethorpe on February 12, 1733; 13th colony
STATEHOOD: January 2, 1788; 4th state
CAPITAL: Atlanta, since 1868
MOTTO: "Wisdom, justice, and moderation"
NICKNAMES: Empire State of the South; Peach State
TOTAL POPULATION: 9,687,653; 9th most populous in U.S. (as of 2010 census)
LAND AREA: 57,513 sq. miles (as of 2010 census); 24th largest in U.S.
COASTLINE: 100 miles
HIGHEST POINT: Brasstown Bald, 4,784 feet
LOWEST POINT: Sea level at the Atlantic Coast
COUNTIES: 159
ELECTORAL VOTES: 15 (as of the 2008 presidential election)
U.S. CONGRESS: 2 senators; 13 representatives (as of the 2006 election)
GOVERNOR: Nathan Deal, 2011-
MAP OF GEORGIA: http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/mapping/outline-map/?map=Georgia-USA
  • close State Symbols
      STATE BIRD: Photograph of Brown thrasherBrown thrasher
      STATE FLOWER: Photograph of Cherokee roseCherokee rose
      STATE TREE: Photograph of Live oakLive oak
      STATE VEGETABLE: Photograph of Vidalia OnionVidalia onion
      STATE FRUIT: Photograph of PeachPeach
      STATE CROP: Photograph of PeanutsPeanuts
      STATE REPTILE: Photograph of Gopher TortoiseGopher tortoise
      STATE AMPHIBIAN: Photograph of Green TreefrogGreen tree frog
      STATE FISH: Photograph of Largemouth BassLargemouth bass
      STATE MARINE MAMMAL: Photograph of Right WhaleRight whale
      STATE MINERAL: Photograph of StauroliteStaurolite
      STATE SONG: Photograph of Ray CharlesOn April 24, 1979, "Georgia on My Mind" (music by Hoagy Carmichael and lyrics by Stuart Gorrell) was designated Georgia's official state song. It was performed on March 7, 1979, before the Georgia legislature by Georgia native Ray Charles.
      STATE FLAG: Image of State flagGeorgia's state flag was adopted by the 2003 General Assembly. It is based on the first national flag of the Confederacy, the "Stars and Bars," with the state coat of arms in gold in the center of a circle of thirteen stars, which represent Georgia and the original twelve other states that formed the United States. Beneath the coat of arms is the national motto: "In God We Trust."
      GREAT SEAL: Image of Great sealThe Great Seal of Georgia was adopted by an act of the General Assembly in 1799. The commonly seen reverse of the seal depicts an arch with "Constitution" engraved on it, supported by three pillars emblematic of the three branches of government: legislative, judicial, and executive. The first pillar has engraved upon a scroll "Wisdom," the second, "Justice," and the third, "Moderation." A uniformed man with a drawn sword, representing the aid of the military in defense of the Constitution, stands between the columns. The obverse of the seal depicts a ship with cotton and tobacco, and a man plowing, representing the seal's motto, "Agriculture and Commerce." The date 1776 refers to the date of the Declaration of Independence.
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