Chapter 2 – This Place We

Call Home

Section 1 –GA’s Flora and Fauna

SS8G1: The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location

Essential Question: How does GA’s flora and fauna make difference in your life?

Section 1 – Georgia’s Flora and Fauna

GA’s Flora• Home to hundreds of species of plants• Kudzu – GA’s nuisance plant• 60% of GA is forested• Trees differ by region• Peach and pecan trees contribute

significantly to GA’s economy

Section 1 – Georgia’s Flora and Fauna

GA’s fauna• 40 species of mammals in GA• Deer almost hunted to extinction in early 1900s• Right whale – GA marine mammal• Manatees in danger of extinction in GA

GA fauna continued:• 170 species of birds in GA• GA has only 6 species of poisonous snakes• Okefenokee Swamp – home to alligator• Loggerhead sea turtles live on barrier

islands• Fishing industry brings $45 million to

state’s economy each year

Section 2 – GA’s Natural Resources

SS8E1: The student will give examples of the kinds of goods and services produced in GA in different historical periods

Essential question: How do GA’s natural resources enhance the economy of our state?

Section 2 – GA’s Natural Resources• GA has many rock and mineral resources

• Marble and granite two biggest stone resources• Coal mining brings over $1.6 billion per year to

economy of state• Clay products – kaolin and fuller’s earth used in

many products

Importance of Granite to Georgia

Section 2 – GA’s Natural Resources• Gold mined in GA in Dahlonega

• Kaolin is most valuable mineral mined in GA– Mined in counties along the Fall Line

Section 3 – GA’s Waterways

SS8G2: The student will explain how the Interstate Highway System, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Georgia’s deepwater ports and railroads help drive the state’s economy.

Section 3 – GA’s Waterways• European settlers set up trading posts and

establish settlements on river bluffs• Savannah and Brunswick are state’s two

deepwater ports• Economic impact of ports exceeds $1.8 billion

per year

• Transportation infrastructure supports the deepwater seaports

• Brunswick and Savannah located close to two major interstate highways and to key railroad hubs

• Intrastate haulers and interstate truckers serve the state by hauling goods to ports and railroad hubs

• Two major railroad lines operate in the state

• Massive amounts of imports and exports flow through GA’s seaports

• GA’s major waterways have been important in the economic growth of the state

• GA’s rivers provide– Recreation– Water sources for towns and cities– Sources for seafood– Economic benefits from inland barge terminals in

Bainbridge and Columbus• Provide low cost transportation services for

agricultural and industrial products to and from the Gulf of Mexico and major markets in the southeastern U.S.