Roy Barnes 2010

The world’s largest infantry training center is located at Fort Benning.

Brasstown Bald Mountain, at 4,784 feet, is the highest point in Georgia.

The University of Georgia in Athens is the first university to be chartered and paid for by state government.

Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi river.

Atlanta began its life in the 1830s as the end point of the Western & Atlantic railroad and was called “Terminus.”  In 1843, it was renamed Marthasville after then-Governor Lumpkin’s daughter.  A year later, it was renamed “Atlanta” after the railroad.

Chick-Fil-A was founded by Truett Cathy in Hapeville, GA, near the Atlanta airport.  The original Dwarf House still operates today!

Habitat for Humanity builds homes for the poor internationally.  It was started near Americus, Georgia.  Today, you can visit Americus and see examples of homes that Habitat builds all over the world.

NASCAR legend Bill Elliott hails from Dawsonville, GA.  He’s still known locally as “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville.”

The city of Tifton, GA, is known as the “Reading Capital of the World.”

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the world's largest indoor aquarium, with more than 8 million gallons of water, 100,000 animals and 500 species.

Georgia has 159 counties, second-most in the nation behind Texas.  The counties were set up so that in the pre-automobile days, any Georgian could go to their county seat and back within a day’s carriage ride.

The world's sweetest onion is the Vidalia onion, which can only be grown in a twenty-county area in the southeastern part Georgia.

Famous country stars from Georgia include Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, Trisha Yearwood, and Amy Grant.

From 2007 to 2008, 14 of Georgia’s counties ranked in the top 100 fastest-growing counties in the country.  Only Texas has more.

Molly Howard of Jefferson County High School in Louisville (pop. 2,712) was named 2008 National Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. She was recognized for programs that helped boost student achievement and graduation rates.

Uga the white bulldog, or one of his successors, is the most popular college football mascot in the country.  Uga has been featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, appeared on a Wheaties cereal box and had a bit part in the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The University of Georgia mourned the loss of Uga VII in November.

During the Civil War, 45,000 Union soldiers were held at Andersonville prison.  Today, Andersonville National Historic Site is held as a memorial to all Americans who have been held as prisoners of war.

Paula Deen opened the Bag Lady catering service in Savannah with $200 in 1989.  Today the chef and entrepreneur has the popular restaurant Lady and Sons in Savannah, as well as her own Food Network TV show!

Dr. Crawford Long of Danielsville became the first doctor to use surgical anesthesia in 1842.  Today, you can visit the Crawford Long Museum in Jefferson, GA.