Image credit: David Seibert
To further examine this year’s Georgia History Festival theme, “From Marshes to Mountains, Georgia’s Changing Landscape: Geography, History, and Community,” this week’s #MarkerMonday looks at the Geographic Center of Georgia historical marker in Twiggs County. The historical marker is located just north from the Geographic Center of Georgia, which can be found at latitude 32° 38´ 46″ N., longitude 83° 25´ 54″ W, according to the Geologic Survey Branch of the Department of Natural Resources. Although many Georgians believe Macon is the state’s geographic center, the center is actually located about seventeen miles away.
Twiggs County was formed in 1809 and is located on what is known as the Fall Line. The Fall Line identifies the prehistoric shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean, which once covered the flat landscape of Georgia’s Coastal Plain. The line divides the Coastal Plain from the Piedmont region, which refers to the transitioning landscape between the Coastal Plain and the Blue Ridge mountainous landscape of North Georgia.
Today, Georgia’s coast is about 110 miles and is protected by fifteen barrier islands. Although there are many rivers and water sources winding across the state, there are no naturally formed major lakes. All of Georgia’s lakes, such as Lake Lanier, Oconee, Sinclair, Seminole, and Blackshear, were created by damming rivers for hydroelectric power or creating recreational spaces.
Comprised of 57,919 square miles, Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi River and the 21st largest state in the United States. Georgia’s land is broken up into 159 counties, making it second to Texas as the state with the most counties. Comparatively, Michigan, which is very close to the size of Georgia, only has 83 counties.
Explore the links below to learn more:
NetState – The Geography of Georgia
New Georgia Encyclopedia – Geologic Regions of Georgia
New Georgia Encyclopedia – Upper Coastal Plain
New Georgia Encyclopedia – Piedmont Geographic Region
New Georgia Encyclopedia – Fall Line
New Georgia Encyclopedia - Reservoirs