Alabama (original) (raw)

Alternate meanings: see Alabama (disambiguation)

Alabama

(In Detail) (Full size)
State motto: We Dare Defend Our Rights
Other U.S. States
Capital Montgomery
Largest City Birmingham
Area - Total - Land - Water - % water Ranked 30th 135,765 km� 131,426 km� 4,338 km� 3.20%
Population - Total (2000) - Density Ranked 23rd 4,447,100 34/km�
Admittance into Union - Order - Date 22ndDecember 14, 1819
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
LatitudeLongitude 30°13'N to 35°N 84°51'W to 88°28'W
WidthLengthElevation -Highest -Mean -Lowest 306 km531 km734 meters 805 meters0 meters
ISO 3166-2: US-AL

Alabama is a southern state located in the southern United States; the population of Alabama is 4,447,100 as of 2000.

USS Alabama was named in honor of this state.

History

Main article: History of Alabama

Among Native American people once living in present Alabama were Alabama (Alibamu), Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Koasati, and Mobile.

Alabama was once a region claimed by the Spaniards as part of Florida. The English also claimed it as part of the province of Carolina. Nevertheless, when the french took over Louisiana they also took over the territory including Alabama. Later when the United States acquired the Louisiana Purchase and the Mississippi Territory, there was much controversy as to whether or not Alabama was included. Nevertheless, Alabama became the 22nd state in 1819.

The state of Alabama seceded from the Union and became a Confederate state on January 11, 1861. While not many battles were fought in the state, it contributed about 120,000 soldiers to the Civil War. After the war a provisional government was set up in 1865 and Alabama was readmitted to the Union in June 1868.

Law and Government

Main article: Law and Government of Alabama

The current governor of the state is Bob Riley (Republican) and the two U.S. senators are Jeff Sessions (Republican) and Richard C. Shelby (Republican).

See also: List of Alabama Governors

Geography

Main article: Geography of Alabama

Alabama is the 30th largest state in the United States with 135,765 km2 (52,419 mi2) of total area. 3.2% of that is water, making Alabama 23rd in the amount of surface water. About three-fifths of the land area is a gentle plain with a general incline towards the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. Alabama ranges in elevation from sea-level to a little more than 1800 ft near the Georgia line.

See also: List of Alabama counties

Economy

The 1999 total gross state product was 115billionplacingAlabama25thinthenation.ThePerCapitaIncomeforthestatewas115 billion placing Alabama 25th in the nation. The Per Capita Income for the state was 115billionplacingAlabama25thinthenation.ThePerCapitaIncomeforthestatewas23,471 in 2000. Alabama's agricultural outputs are poultry and eggs, cattle, nursery stock, peanuts, cotton, vegetables, milk, and soybeans. Its industrial outputs are paper, lumber and wood products, mining, rubber and plastic products, transportation equipment and apparel.

The Heart of Dixie
State Bird:

Yellowhammer

State Capital:

Montgomery

State Flower:

Camellia

State Motto:

"We Dare Defend Our Rights"

State Song:

"Alabama"

State Tree:

Southern Pine

Demographics

Important Cities and Towns

Main article: List of cities in Alabama

Education

Colleges and Universities

Air UniversityAlabama A&M UniversityAlabama State UniversityAthens State University

Auburn University

Professional Sports Teams