USA Georgia | North America

Georgia is located in the southeastern United States, bordering Tennessee and North Carolina to the north, South Carolina and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Florida to the south, and Alabama to the west. The state is defined by the Blue Ridge Mountains in the north and the expansive Atlantic Coastal Plain in the south, while its economy is anchored by its status as a global logistics hub and the nation's top producer of poultry and peanuts. The capital city is Atlanta.

History & Culture

Georgia was founded in 1733 as the last of the original 13 British colonies and was the fourth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1788. It seceded in 1861, becoming a major theater of the Civil War before being the last state readmitted to the Union in 1870. Primary religious affiliations are Protestant (67%) and Catholic (9%). Independence Day (July 4) is the primary national holiday. Social etiquette emphasizes "Southern hospitality," formal address (sir/ma'am), and a standardized 18–25% tipping expectation.

Language & Communication

The official language is English. English proficiency is high. Spanish is the second most spoken language, particularly in urban and agricultural corridors. Dominant local dialects include the Southern American English drawl and the distinct "Atlanta accent" in the metropolitan region.

Population & Economy

The population is approximately 11.1 million, with 75% urban and 25% rural distribution. Top three export commodities are transportation equipment (aerospace and automotive), machinery, and computer/electronic products. GDP per capita is approximately $72,500 USD. The logistics and transportation industry-centered around the Port of Savannah and Hartsfield-Jackson Airport-is the primary driver of the labor market.

Visa & Entry Policy

Citizens of the UK, EU, and other Visa Waiver Program nations require an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) for stays up to 90 days. Other international travelers require a B1/B2 visa. There is no Visa on Arrival system. Border strictness is high at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, with rigorous agricultural inspections to protect the state's commercial crops.

Currency & Payment Systems

The currency is the United States Dollar (USD). Card payments and mobile "tap-to-pay" systems are universal in urban centers and suburban retail. Cash is primarily used for small tips or at rural roadside produce stands. ATM availability is high, with dense concentrations in convenience store chains like QuikTrip and RaceTrac.

National Transport Grid

Intercity travel is dominated by personal vehicles via the Interstate system (I-75, I-85, I-20). Domestic aviation is anchored by Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), the world's busiest airport. Amtrak provides rail service via the "Crescent" line (connecting Atlanta to the Northeast and New Orleans) and the "Palmetto" and "Silver Service" along the coast. Long-distance bus transit is provided by Greyhound, Megabus, and Southeastern Stages.

Digital Infrastructure

Major mobile network providers are AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. 5G coverage is comprehensive throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area and major regional hubs. 4G LTE is the standard in rural agricultural zones, though signal degradation occurs in the remote Okefenokee Swamp and the deep Appalachian valleys of North Georgia.

Climate & Seasonality

The climate is predominantly humid subtropical, characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters. The wettest months are typically March and July. The dry season occurs in late autumn, specifically September and October. The state is subject to occasional tropical storm impacts during the Atlantic hurricane season (June–November).

Health & Safety

No mandatory vaccines are required for entry. Specific environmental risks include heat exhaustion in summer, tornadoes (primarily in spring), and West Nile Virus. The emergency number for Police, Ambulance, and Fire is 911.

Top 3 Major Regions & Cities

Atlanta Metropolitan Area (Finance/Tech): Hub city is Atlanta.

Coastal Empire (Logistics/Tourism): Hub city is Savannah.

Central Savannah River Area (Cybersecurity/Military): Hub city is Augusta.

Local Cost Index

1L Water: $2.15 USD

1 Domestic Beer: $6.50 USD

1 Sim Card (Data Plan): $45.00 USD

Facts & Legends

The "Tree That Owns Itself" is a white oak in Athens, Georgia, which according to local lore was granted its own autonomy and the land within eight feet of its trunk by its owner, Colonel William Henry Jackson, in the early 19th century; although the original tree fell in 1942, a "Junior" tree grown from one of its acorns now occupies the site under the same purported legal status.