Key Facts
- Per Capita Real GDP
- $35,265 Rank: 26/50 (2007)
- Population
- 9,685,740 Rank: 9/50 (2008)
- Per Capita Personal Income
- $31,891 Rank: 38/50 (2006)
- Unemployment Rate
- 4.90% Rank: 32/50 (2008)
- Business Tax Climate Index
- Rank: 20/50 (2008)
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Georgia: Introduction
Georgia is located in the southern United States and is the largest state east of the Mississippi River. Despite the fact that it was the last of the thirteen original colonies to be founded, Georgia became the first Southern state to ratify the Constitution in 1788. Georgia seceded from the union in 1861 and joined the Confederacy soon thereafter. The ensuing Civil War left a trail of great destruction in the state and caused a temporary setback to the agriculture industry.
Georgia’s moderate winter climate and southern charm make this state a popular vacation destination. Tourists bring in over $15 billion each year and are significant contributors to the economies of the coastal areas, the Blue Ridge area, and around Atlanta (host of the 1996 Olympic Games). The federal government has a number of facilities located in the state, which include several military bases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Georgia originally prospered as a cotton-growing state, benefiting from the invention of the cotton gin. During the 1920s, the boll weevil decimated swaths of cotton-growing lands. Combined with declining yields due to 200 years of continuous cultivation of cotton, efforts were made to diversify the agricultural economy. Several other crops were rotated to help enrich the soil including peanuts, tobacco and corn. Although agriculture remains an important industry for Georgia, the majority of jobs are now supplied by the service sector.
