14 Fun Facts About Georgia: Why It’s a Southern Gem

14 Fun Facts About Georgia You Didn’t Know

If you only think of Atlanta and peaches when you think about this state, learning some new facts about Georgia will blow your mind. Many people are familiar with a few of its famous historical figures, rappers, actors, and history, but what else do you know about the Peach State? It’s a true Southern gem and once you read through these facts about Georgia, you’ll see why it’s high time to plan a visit!

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1. Georgia was one of the 13 colonies. It initially became a colony in 1733, making it the last and southernmost colony. Named after King George II, Georgia went on to become the 4th state to ratify the constitution. Here, here!

2. Georgia has 3 main nicknames. Common nicknames for the state include the Peach State, the Cracker State, and the Empire of the South State. The name cracker comes from the British settlers, known as crackers, because they cracked whips when they drove livestock on the road.

3. The first American college to grant women college degrees is here. It’s still located in Macon, Georgia. Way to go Wesleyan College!

4. Stone Mountain, located near Atlanta, is one of the largest exposed granite walls in the world. It currently has a carving of Robert E. Lee and some other leaders of the confederacy. Visitors can hike up the wall to its top or take a gondola. The park also has several miles of walking trails around a lake and through the woods. Admission is $25 per car.

5. There are tons of famous Georgia natives. They include Martin Luther King Jr., baseball legend Jackie Robinson, Julia Roberts, Spike Lee, Jimmy Carter, and Kanye West. You can get a glimpse into the life of MLK Jr. at the Martin Luther King Museum near downtown Atlanta.

6. Georgia’s largest crop is pecans.The state may be known for peaches, but pecans win out. It’s also a top producer of blueberries.

7. There was a Gold Rush in Georgia from 1829-1861. The state produced more than 870,000 ounces of gold, which sadly came mostly from Cherokee land. The Cherokee were soon evicted and sent along the infamous trail of tears.

Woman hikes along the Appalachian Trail in North Georgia

8. The Appalachian Trail ends in Northern Georgia near Amicalola State Park. Spanning more than 2,000 miles, the AT traverses several mountain ranges on its way to Maine. More than 3,000 people per year attempted the trail in 2018, with most of them starting in Georgia and heading north. Check out some of Georgia’s great state parks, like the waterfall-filled Cloudland Canyon and Amicalola Falls State Park.

9. Atlanta was recently dubbed The Hollywood of the South. More than 700 movies and TV shows have been shot here since the 1970s. Some recent favorites shot in the peach state are Spiderman: No Way Home, Guardians of The Galaxy 2, The Walking Dead, and Stranger Things.

10. Georgia has some seriously weird laws. For instance, it is illegal to keep a donkey in a bathtub here (would love to know the story of how this law came to be). Also, the town of Acworth requires citizens to own a rake. That raking the forest bit just got a lot closer to home.

Okefenokee Swamp

11. South Georgia is home to the largest swamp in North America. It’s called Okefenokee, which translates to trembling earth. You’ll find all kinds of critters like alligators, snakes, turtles and birds in its several thousand acres.

12. The city of Atlanta is home to one of the busiest airports in the world. Hartsfield Jackson Airport is touted as one of the busiest airports in the world because it’s the hub for Delta Airlines.

Sculpture at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta

Centennial Olympic Park – Sculpture with Shrapnell

13. Atlanta hosted the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. For those of us alive back then, you might remember the bombing that took place at Olympic Park. Visit it today and you can still see shrapnell that hit the sculptures in the fountain near the Olympic Rings.

14. Atlanta is home to the Coca-Cola plant and museum. The soda was first invented by Dr. John Pemberton and sold from a soda fountain in 1886. Visitors can go to the Coca- Cola museum in downtown ATL to try out the flavors sold in every country around the world. If you were wondering, the original Coca-Cola used to have cocaine in it. It was sold to heal a variety of ailments (something they they won’t mention that at the Coca-Cola Museum). Grab a ticket here.

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