Georgia (GA) - Named for King George II of England

Location

State Flag

The Georgia flag has three red and white stripes and the state coat of arms on a blue field in the upper left corner.Thirteen stars surrounding the seal denotes Georgia's position as one of the original thirteen colonies. On the seal three pillars supporting an arch represent the three branches of government; legislative, judicial and executive. A man with sword drawn is defending the Constitution, whose principles are wisdom, justice and moderation. The date 1776 represents the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Flag adopted May 8th, 2003.

Nickname : Peach State:  Georgia is known as the “Peach State” because of the growers' reputation for producing the highest quality fruit. The peach became the official state fruit in 1995. 

Georgia Facts and Trivia

Okefenokee Swamp encompasses over 400,000 acres of canals; moss draped cypress trees, and lily pad prairies providing sanctuaries for hundreds of species of birds and wildlife including several endangered species.  The name of the famous south Georgia swamp, the Okefenokee, is derived from an Indian word meaning the trembling earth.

Historic Saint Marys Georgia is the second oldest city in the nation.  

The pirate Edward "Blackbeard" Teach made a home on Blackbeard Island. The United States Congress designated the Blackbeard Island Wilderness Area in 1975 and it now has a total of 3,000 acres. 

In Gainesville, the Chicken Capital of the World it is illegal to eat chicken with a fork.  

Stone Mountain near Atlanta is one of the largest single masses of exposed granite in the world. 

Georgia is the nations number one producer of the three Ps--peanuts, pecans, and peaches.  

Known as the sweetest onion in the world, the Vidalia onion can only be grown in the fields around Vidalia and Glennville 

Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi River.  

Cordele claims to be the watermelon capital of the world. 

Coca-Cola was invented in May 1886 by Dr. John S. Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia. The name "Coca-Cola" was suggested by Dr. Pemberton's bookkeeper, Frank Robinson. He penned the name Coca-Cola in the flowing script that is famous today. Coca-Cola was first sold at a soda fountain in Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta by Willis Venable.  

The popular theme park - Six Flags Over Georgia, was actually named for six flags that flew over Georgia. England, Spain, Liberty, Georgia, Confederate States of America, and the United States.