Alabama

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 km² 131,426 km² 4,338 km² 3.20%
Population  - Total (2000)  - Density	Ranked 23rd 4,447,100 34/km²
Admittance into Union  - Order  - Date	22nd December 14, 1819
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5
Latitude Longitude	30°13'N to 35°N 84°51'W to 88°28'W
Width Length Elevation  -Highest  -Mean  -Lowest	306 km 531 km   734 meters 805 meters 0 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

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

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

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 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

Education

Colleges and Universities

Professional Sports Teams

External links

• The Official Website of the State of Alabama

Referenced By