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The State of Georgia

Quick Facts

STATE BIRD: Brown Thrasher

STATE FLOWER: Cherokee Rose

STATE TREE: Live Oak

STATE VEGETABLE: Vidalia Onion

STATE FRUIT: Peach

STATE CROP: Peanut

STATE REPTILE: Gopher Tortoise

STATE FISH: Largemouth Bass

STATE SONG: On April 24, 1979, "Georgia on My Mind" (music by Hoagy Carmichael and lyrics by Stuart Gorrell) was designated Georgia's official state song. It was performed on March 7, 1979, before the Georgia legislature by Georgia-native Ray Charles. Click here for song lyrics.

COLONY:	Founded by James Oglethorpe on February 12, 1733; 13th colony
STATEHOOD:	January 2, 1788; 4th state
CAPITAL:	Atlanta, since 1868
MOTTO:	"Wisdom, justice, and moderation"
NICKNAMES:	Empire State of the South; Peach State
TOTAL POPULATION:	8,186,453; 10th most populous in U.S. (as of 2000 census)
LAND AREA:	57,906 sq. miles; 24th largest in U.S.
COASTLINE:	100 miles
HIGHEST POINT:	Brasstown Bald, 4,784 ft.
LOWEST POINT:	Sea level at the Atlantic Coast
COUNTIES:	159
ELECTORAL VOTES:	15 (as of the 2004 presidential election)
U.S. CONGRESS:	2 senators; 13 representatives (as of the 2002 election)
GOVERNOR:	Sonny Perdue, 2003-

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State Flag

Georgia's state flag was adopted by the 2003 General Assembly. It is based on the first national flag of the Confederacy, the "Stars and Bars," with the state coat of arms in gold in the center of a circle of thirteen stars, which represent Georgia and the original twelve other states that formed the United States. Beneath the coat of arms is the national motto: "In God We Trust."

State Seal

The great seal of Georgia was adopted by an act of the General Assembly in 1799. The commonly seen reverse of the seal depicts an arch with "Constitution" engraved on it, supported by three pillars emblematic of the three branches of government: legislative, judicial, and executive. The first pillar has engraved upon a scroll "Wisdom," the second, "Justice," and the third, "Moderation." A uniformed man with a drawn sword, representing the aid of the military in defense of the Constitution, stands between the columns. The obverse of the seal depicts a ship with cotton and tobacco, and a man plowing, representing the seal's motto, "Agriculture and Commerce." The date 1776 refers to the date of the Declaration of Independence.

Stone Mountian