Georgia, also known as the Peach State, is the largest state on the Eastern side of the Mississippi River. It was founded by James Oglethorpe who was its English discoverer in the 13^th century. About nine million people live in Georgia. In the North lies Atlanta, Georgia’s capital city. The city is an exceptional industrial settlement of over four million people. One of the greatest attractions in Atlanta is the grave of civil rights activist Martin Luther King at the Ebenezer Baptist Church. The famous three faces mountain carving (Robert E Lee, Jefferson Davis and Thomas ‘Stonewall’ Jackson) is located on the Stone Mountain in Atlanta. A bit North of Atlanta sits Dalhonega, where gold was first discovered in 1864. The home of former US President Franklin D Roosevelt is located at Warm Springs area, also North of Atlanta. 

South of Atlanta is Savannah, which is also known as the first planned city in the USA. Some of its main attractions are the beaches fishing piers on Tybee Island. To the Southeast are the Golden Isles, famous for its beautiful beaches, comfortable holiday homes and resorts and golfing courses. For bird watchers Jekyll Island can provide the opportunity to see a great number of migratory birds in the winter. The largest island among the Golden Isles is St. Simons – an exceptional piece of virgin beaches and unspoiled natural beauty. Sea Island is another popular spot and features the dreaded alligators of the Okefenokee Swamp. 

Get in and out

 Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International is the main International Airport in Georgia. It’s about 16 kms outside Atlanta but is very accessible by rapid railways, taxis, limousines and car rentals. 

Amtrak connects Georgia with the rest of the country by railroad. Greyhound bus line has terminals at most locations across the State. 

Quick Facts 

 • It’s the only state in USA named after a British Monarch
 • Georgia was the state (the town was Dahlonega) where gold was found in the 19^th century causing the historic gold rush
 • Atlanta, Georgia is the headquarters of CNN news agency
 • Jekyll Island was the winter house of William Rockefeller and Richard Crane, two of the world’s greatest industrialists (1886-1942)
 • Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world
 • Georgia celebrates the Victorian Christmas on December 3-4
 • The state has the world’s longest festival celebration, The St Patrick’s Festival at Dublin
 • Every year on 30 January, Georgia celebrates the birthday of Fredrick D Roosevelt with a festival at Warm Springs (this year it will be the 125^th birthday celebration)
 • Savannah is the host every September to the world famous Savannah Jazz Festival celebrations
 • Fort Pulaski, one the best known forts of Savannah, owes its name to a hero of the American Revolution which was of Polish origin
 • Augusta holds the Masters Golf Tournament every year in April, which is a great world attraction