About Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is a huge city in southeastern United States. It is the capital as well as the largest city in Georgia. The city has a population of just above 500,000, and it is the core of a metropolitan area with over 5 million people, the ninth most populated in the United States. Atlanta blends the Old South with the New South. Post-modern skyscrapers and old historical homes coexist within blocks of each other. The idea of the New South is also reflected by its people. Many new residents from different regions of the United States and the world have come to make their new home in Atlanta, making it one of the fastest growing cities in the United States while it nevertheless manages to retain its Southern charm.
Districts of Atlanta
Atlanta is a sprawling city consisting of a variety of neighborhoods, some of the them having characteristics of individual cities, such as Buckhead, while some have the feel of small towns, such as Virginia-Highland. Intown neighborhoods are located inside of the "Perimeter", i.e., highway I-285, which circles the city. Areas outside of the perimeter are still part of the city or the metro area and locals universally refer to this as "OTP" (outside of the perimeter).
- Downtown is the most central and commercial area in Georgia (economically and politically). It includes the state capitol, city hall, corporate headquarters, Centennial Park, where the Georgia Aquarium and the New World of Coca-Cola are located, and the neighborhoods of Five Points, Fairlie-Poplar, Castleberry Hill, and the Railroad District.
- Midtown, business district with tall skyscrapers, and a popular nightlife area. This area also includes Piedmont Park, the Woodruff Arts Center, the Georgia Tech campus and complex, and SoNo.
- North Atlanta/Buckhead, includes the once thriving nightlife district of Buckhead, and neighboring Brookwood Hills, as well as Peachtree Battle, and the Governor's Mansion.
- Northwest Atlanta, includes Atlantic Station, Atlanta's new urban renewed district.
- Northeast Atlanta, includes Ansley Park, Morningside, and Druid Hills. Emory University, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and Fernbank Museum of Natural History are also located here.
- East Atlanta, includes the alternative style neighborhood Little Five Points, trendy Virginia-Highland with nearby Poncey-Highland, as well as the growing district of East Atlanta, Historic King District in Sweet Auburn, and Grant Park.
- South Atlanta, includes Turner Field and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and the neighborhoods of Mechanicsville, West End, and Oakland City.
- West Atlanta, includes Vine City, Bankhead, and Collier Heights.
- Southwest Atlanta, includes Westview Cemetery, the Wren's Nest, Historic West End, and Westview.
Within Metro Atlanta are the following suburban cities:
- Fulton County: East Point, College Park, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Hapeville
- Dekalb County: Chamblee, Decatur, Doraville, Lithonia, Stone Mountain
- Cobb County: Kennesaw, Marietta, Smyrna
- Gwinnett County: Duluth, Buford, Lawrenceville, Norcross
- Clayton County: Jonesboro, Morrow
- Other: Newnan, Cumming, Fayetteville, Griffin, Peachtree City, Union City
Orientation of Atlanta
Atlanta is located almost entirely in Fulton County on the Piedmont Plateau in Northern Georgia with a part of the city limits extends into Dekalb County. The area size of the city limits is only 132 sq mi (343 kmē), but Metro Atlanta which includes 28 counties has an area of 8,376 sq mi (21,693.7 kmē). The Chattahoochee River, which forms the Northwestern boundary of the city limits of Atlanta, is a major source of water throughout the metro area. Aside from the river, the topography of Atlanta is assorted with rolling hills, forests, lakes and ponds, and granite Stone Mountain to the east.
Climate of Atlanta
Atlanta is located at an approximate elevation of 800 to 1900 feet above sea level. The city is thus somewhat cooler than other places in the US South, a fact that certainly helped the growth of the city before the introduction of air conditioning.
Atlanta experiences a very wide range of temperatures. Temperatures in winter can drop into the single digits on occasion, and some winters bring significant snowfall. The region can often receive devastating ice storms. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures frequently reaching above 90°F/32°C (thus the nickname "Hotlanta"). Rainfall is high in late winter and early spring, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit. The region is often affected during Hurricane season from remnants that spill out of the Gulf, bringing heavy rains and sometimes high winds.
More Info on Atlanta
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