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History

Atlanta has a history that is deeply entwined with the broader narratives of the American South, the Civil War, and the Civil Rights Movement. Originally inhabited by indigenous peoples such as the Creek and Cherokee, the area that is now Atlanta was a hub of trade and culture before European settlers arrived in the 18th century. Following the forced removal of the Cherokee in the 1830s, the area was settled and began to develop rapidly. By 1837, the Georgia General Assembly decided to establish a railroad hub at Terminus, a settlement where multiple railroads converged. This site would eventually be renamed Atlanta, inspired by the Western and Atlantic Railroad, which ran through the city.

As the railroads grew, so did the city’s importance as a transportation center in the southeastern United States. By the time of the Civil War, Atlanta had developed into a thriving industrial city, producing war supplies and serving as a logistical base for the Confederacy. However, in 1864, during the Civil War, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman’s infamous March to the Sea saw Atlanta fall to the Union forces. The city was largely destroyed by fire and military action, and its future seemed uncertain.

Despite the destruction, Atlanta’s resilience was evident in its rapid reconstruction. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the city rebuilt and modernized, becoming a key center of commerce and industry in the South. Its population grew, and it became the economic and cultural heart of Georgia. The establishment of the Coca-Cola company in 1886, headquartered in Atlanta, further bolstered the city’s prominence. By the early 20th century, Atlanta had established itself as a symbol of Southern progress and modernization.

In the mid-20th century, Atlanta became a major center for the Civil Rights Movement. Figures like Martin Luther King Jr., born in the city in 1929, played a pivotal role in the fight for racial equality. The city was home to important organizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), which was founded by King and other activists. The landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 had a profound effect on Atlanta, positioning it as a critical battleground in the fight for civil rights. Today, visitors can explore the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, which includes King’s childhood home, church, and final resting place.

Atlanta's influence in the Civil Rights Movement laid the foundation for its continued role as a global city in the late 20th and 21st centuries. Its economy diversified into sectors like technology, telecommunications, and film production. Atlanta also became an international transportation hub with the opening of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which is now one of the busiest airports in the world. The city’s transformation from a war-torn settlement to a bustling metropolis is a testament to its resilience, spirit, and strategic importance.

Surroundings and Surrounding Cities

Atlanta’s location in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, in the north-central part of Georgia, makes it not only a historical and economic center but also a gateway to a diverse range of natural attractions and surrounding cities. The metro Atlanta area encompasses numerous communities, each contributing to the cultural and economic vibrancy of the region.

To the north of Atlanta, the city of Marietta serves as an example of suburban growth that balances historical preservation with modern development. Marietta is home to the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, which commemorates one of the most significant Civil War battles fought near Atlanta. The city’s proximity to the Appalachian foothills allows visitors to enjoy hiking, camping, and exploring the outdoors. Nearby, the small town of Roswell offers a charming historical district, with antebellum homes and a rich history tied to the textile industry.

Further north, visitors can access the Chattahoochee National Forest, which stretches over 750,000 acres of wilderness and offers hiking, boating, and fishing opportunities. The area is a haven for nature lovers and provides scenic views, particularly in the fall when the foliage changes colors. Towns such as Dahlonega, a former gold rush center, offer a historical glimpse into Georgia's 19th-century gold mining history, with the Dahlonega Gold Museum providing insight into the state's first major gold discovery in the 1820s.

To the west of Atlanta lies the city of Birmingham, Alabama, which shares a history of industrial growth and a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement. Further beyond, the state of Alabama also offers important historical sites, such as the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, where pivotal events in the Civil Rights Movement took place.

South of Atlanta, the city of Macon offers a rich history, particularly in terms of its role in the cotton industry and its contributions to music. Macon is often referred to as the "Heart of Georgia" and has historical significance with attractions like the Ocmulgee National Monument and the Tubman Museum, which is dedicated to African American history and culture.

To the east of Atlanta, the city of Augusta, home to the famous Augusta National Golf Club, offers a quiet and charming setting along the Savannah River. Augusta’s history is closely tied to the cotton industry and its role as an important trading post during the 19th century. The city hosts the annual Masters Tournament, which draws thousands of visitors every year to this prestigious golf event.

In addition to these cities, the region surrounding Atlanta is known for its scenic beauty, with numerous parks, nature reserves, and lakes, such as Lake Lanier and Stone Mountain Park, which features a massive granite monolith and is home to several hiking trails, picnic areas, and a historic Civil War-era carving.

Modern Atlanta: A City of Culture and Innovation

Modern-day Atlanta is an international city, known for its vibrant arts and entertainment scene, cultural diversity, and status as a major business hub. The city is home to some of the country's most prominent cultural institutions, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the High Museum of Art, and the Fox Theatre, a historic venue that hosts Broadway shows and concerts. The city's thriving music scene, particularly its influence on hip-hop and R&B, has also made it a major center for contemporary culture.

Atlanta’s diverse neighborhoods add to its cultural richness, with areas like Little Five Points, known for its eclectic mix of art galleries, shops, and restaurants, and Midtown, which houses some of the city's most modern architecture and green spaces. The BeltLine, a revitalization project that converts old railway corridors into pedestrian-friendly paths, offers both locals and visitors a way to explore Atlanta's neighborhoods and green spaces in a way that was not previously possible. This urban renewal project has helped make Atlanta more walkable, while also providing opportunities for outdoor art installations and community gatherings.

In recent years, Atlanta has also solidified its place as a major hub for film and television production. With its film-friendly infrastructure and tax incentives, the city has become known as the "Hollywood of the South." Productions like "The Walking Dead," "Stranger Things," and "Black Panther" have utilized Atlanta’s diverse landscapes and modern facilities, contributing to the city's burgeoning film industry. Studios such as Pinewood Atlanta Studios and Tyler Perry Studios have played a pivotal role in shaping the city's entertainment sector.

Additionally, Atlanta’s economy is increasingly dominated by sectors such as technology, logistics, and healthcare. The city is home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, and Home Depot. The presence of Georgia Tech, one of the leading technological research universities in the country, also contributes to Atlanta's reputation as a hub of innovation and education. The growth of tech companies in Midtown and the surrounding areas continues to attract young professionals, further shaping Atlanta as a forward-thinking and dynamic city.

New Tip: When visiting Atlanta, make sure to check out the Atlanta Botanical Garden, which offers a stunning collection of plant species, seasonal displays, and a canopy walk that allows visitors to explore the treetops. An interesting fact: Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport holds the title of the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic, underscoring the city’s global connectivity and importance in the world’s travel infrastructure.

The capital of the U.S. state of Georgia

Atlanta's emergence as one of the dynamic cities of the United States had its genesis in the "New South" philosophy expounded by Atlanta Constitution editor Henry Grady. He was one of the leaders in the International Cotton Exposition (1881) and the Piedmont Exposition (1887), both of which served as patterns for the Cotton States and International Exposition (1895). These enterprises showed the impressive progress that both Atlanta and the South had made in building a more diversified economy on the ruins of the old cotton kingdom. The Forward Atlanta campaigns of the 1920's and 1960's promoted the city as a site for business and industry.

Atlanta, the capital of Georgia and the trade, transportation, and communications center of the southeastern United States. Atlanta, known as the Dogwood City for its flowering trees, lies in north-central Georgia, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Situated 1,050 feet (320 meters) above sea level on the Piedmont Plateau, Atlanta's climate is equable, with a mean annual temperature of 61°F. (16°C.) and an average annual rainfall of almost 50 inches (1,300 mm). The city has a total land area of 131 square miles (339 sq km), partly in DeKalb County, but mostly in Fulton County, of which it is the seat.

Atlanta is in a state of transition. Few pre-Civil War buildings still stand. The city was laid out as a circle with a two-mile (3.2-km) diameter, its streets radiating from the center. Rapid growth modified the plan, but Atlanta still centers on Five Points, where the main thoroughfares converge. Surronding Five Points is the central business district. Peachtree Street, once the site of Atlanta's most fashionable residential district, is the main north-south artery. Today it is lined with skyscraper offices, hotels, and apartment buildings. Construction in downtown Atlanta in the 1960's proceeded so rapidly that building machinery often seemed to be a permanent part of the landscape. Atlanta's northside residential area, however, is still a woodland whose gently rolling terrain is a dazzling vista of white when hundreds of thousands of dogwood burst into bloom each spring.

Redevelopment during the 1960's and 1970's did not prevent a flight of population from the city. Atlanta's population, after having grown by 11 percent in the 1950's and stabilized during the 1960's, declined in the 1970's and 1980's. By 1990 the city had only 394,017 inhabitants, as against 495,039 in 1970. Growth continued, however, in the metropolitan area, which encompasses 18 counties and had 2,833,511 inhabitants in 1990. In the city, blacks constitute two thirds of the population, but they make up just over one fourth of the metropolitan area population.

Atlanta is governed by a mayor and a city council elected every four years. Under the administrations of William B. Hartsfield (1937-1961) and Ivan Allen, Jr. (1961-1969), Atlanta experienced unprecedented growth and prosperity. In 1973 Atlantans elected their first black mayor, Maynard Jackson. In 1981 he was succeeded by Andrew Young. Jackson was once more elected mayor in 1989.

Atlanta is the home of Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Agnes Scott College, Oglethorpe University, and Georgia State University. The six institutions affiliated with the Atlanta University Center make the city a leader in higher education. Atlanta's public school system was peacefully desegrated following the U.S. Supreme Court Order of 1954.

Cultural organizations in Atlanta include a symphony orchestra, a ballet troupe, and several theatrical groups. There is a spring season of performances by the Metropolitan Opera Company. Since 1968 cultural events have been held in the Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center, which surrounds the High Museum of Art. Recreational facilities include 2,300 acres (930 hectares) of municipal playgrounds and parks. The Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium is home to professional baseball and the Georgia Dome to professional football. The Omni Coliseum is the site of professional basketball games.

Points of interest in the city include the Cyclorama Building, housing a life-size mural of the Battle of Atlanta; the "Eternal Flame of the Confederacy," one of Atlanta's original street lamps, which was badly scarred during the Civil War; the Atlanta Historical Society; the grave of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.; and the State Capitol.

Atlanta has, from the time of its founding, been an important transportation center. Commercial air travel increased greatly in the city in the 1970's, and in 1980 the city opened a new international airport, the nation's largest and busiest. Railroads, however, remain a major factor in the city's role as a distribution center. The city is also the focal point of three major interstate highways. Atlanta is also an important communications center and is the hub for CNN. It has two major daily newspapers, seven television stations, and 20 radio stations.

Atlanta's economy is based on transportation and communications facilities, on banking, insurance, and retailing businesses, and on industries that manufacture automobiles, textiles, chemicals, and pulp and paper products. With the opening of several new hotels and a huge new convention center in the 1970's, Atlanta also became one of the nation's busiest tourist and convention cities.

Settled in 1837 as the terminus of the state-owned Western & Atlantic Railroad (and called, appropriately, Terminus), the site soon became a trading center for the area. The settlement was incorporated in 1843 as the town of Marthasville and was reincorporated in 1847 as the city of Atlanta. The scene of heavy fighting late in the Civil War, the city was ordered burned by General Sherman in 1864.