Hernando De Soto, the Spanish explorer, first traveled parts of Georgia in 1540.

The original inhabitants of the area were the Cherokee and Creek Indians.

Tomichichi was a Native American who helped James Oglethorpe.

The colony of Georgia was the started by James Edward Oglethorpe. He received the charter for Georgia on June 9, 1732.  

The colony was named after King George II.

On Feb. 12, 1733, six small ships landed at Yamacraw Bluffs.  This place became the city of Savannah. To protect the new colony they built forts including Fort Augusta, Fort Fredrica and Fort St. Simon. Slavery and alcohol were banned. Banned means it was not allowed.

 Georgia had four previous capital cities: Savannah (1733-1786), Augusta (1786-1795), Louisville (1796-1806), and Milledgeville (1807-1868).

Atlanta became the capital in 1868.

Georgia was a melting pot of different religious groups except Catholics.

  They wanted slavery and in 1750, the request was granted.

Georgia was one of the 13 original colonies that fought for freedom from England during the Revolutionary War.  They became the 4th  state on January 2, 1788.

During the Civil War, Georgia was a Confederate stronghold. This means it was very helpful and important to the war. Union General, William T. Sherman burned a 60 mile wide path to the coast and captured Savannah in 1866. He burned Atlanta along the way.

Major cities include Columbus, Augusta, Savannah, Macon, Albany, and Athens.

Atlanta is the largest city as well as  the capital. Georgia leads the nation in the production of paper and board, tufted textile products, and processed chicken. Other major manufactured products are transportation equipment, food products, apparel, and chemicals.