Atlanta is in the southeastern part of the country and is the capital of Georgia. Located in what is known as the Sun Belt, the city has seen incredible growth in the past decades. It has become a major business and transportation hub within the region and accounts for two-thirds of the state's economy.
Found along the Chattahoochee River from which many neighboring states draw their water, Atlanta has been criticized for excessive water use during droughts and water pollution during floods. Atlanta sees abundant rainfall year round, averaging fifty inches a year. Heavy rain and ice storms are common and although rare, the city has also been affected by blizzards.
Atlanta has also been hit by numerous tornados in the past years with winds recorded up to 135 miles per hour. Significant damage has been done to major centers in the downtown area as well as nearby residential neighborhoods and surrounding areas.
highest in the country for particle pollution. The city has also been named the worst American city for asthma sufferers by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation.
One of the fastest growing areas in the country, the Atlanta metropolitan area continues to expand in all directions. Home to numerous museums, festivals, cultural areas and performing arts centers, it brings in the fifth-highest number of foreign tourists in the country as well as millions of domestic tourists every year. In recent years, the city has also drawn attention for being a major business hub, particularly with regard to biotechnology, finance, auto manufacturing and television programming.
Crime rates in the city are well above national averages, ranking among the highest in the country. Atlanta was ranked the most dangerous city in the U.S. in 1994. While recent studies show a steady decline in overall crime, property crime appears to be on the rise, posing a significant challenge for city law enforcement agents.
Atlanta is accessible by I-75, I-20, and I-85, making it easy and efficient to drive in and out of provided travelers don't get stuck in its notorious gridlock.
Passenger rail service is provided by Amtrak west to New Orleans or east to Washington DC.
Driving around Atlanta in a car can be a quite a headache since it is not laid out on a traditional grid system. Five main streets run in and out of downtown in an area called Five Points. Making matters even more confusing by the number of roads with the word Peachtree.Public transportation is operated by Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), which owns and operates buses and light trains to run throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Bobby Dodd Stadium/Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football.
Philips Arena/Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta Thrashers (NHL), Georgia Force (AFL).