121-541: The Fall Line Freeway ( FLF ), also signed as State Route 540 ( SR 540 ), is a 215-mile-long (346 km) highway designed to span the width of the U.S. state of Georgia from Columbus at the Alabama state line to Augusta , travelling through several cities including Macon , Fort Valley , Sandersville , and Wrens . Though it is called a freeway, it is composed of both limited-access and high-speed divided highway portions. There are also two segments of
242-546: A primary language , while 7.82% (795,646) spoke Spanish, and 6.55% (666,849) spoke languages other than English or Spanish at home, with the most common of which were Vietnamese, Chinese, and Korean. In total, 14.38% (1,462,495) of Georgia's population age 5 and older spoke a mother language other than English. According to the Pew Research Center , the composition of religious affiliation in Georgia
363-591: A AAA rating. If Georgia were a stand-alone country, it would be the 28th-largest economy in the world, based on data from 2005. Wrens, Georgia Wrens is a city in Jefferson County , Georgia , United States. The population was 2,217 at the 2020 census . It is located on U.S. Route 1 , thirty miles west of Augusta . Wrens was laid out in 1884 when the railroad was extended to that point, and named after W.J. Wren, an early settler and merchant. The Georgia General Assembly incorporated Wrens as
484-439: A bridge over Anthony Road, they curve to the north-northwest. Right after this bridge is an interchange with the eastern terminus of SR 74 (Mercer University Drive). Within this interchange, the highways curve to the northeast. They then meet US 41 Bus. / SR 19 (Forsyth Street). This interchange also provides access to Hardeman Avenue. The highways then curve back to the north-northeast. Just after they travel under
605-623: A bridge that carries US 23 / SR 87 (Riverside Drive), they meet the western terminus of I-16 (and its unsigned companion designation SR 404 ) at the Major Bobby Jones MD POW–MIA Interchange. Here, SR 540 and the FLF split off of I-75/SR 401 and begin a concurrency with I-16/SR 404. The highways travel to the east-southeast. Immediately, they cross over the Ocmulgee River . They curve to
726-531: A coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, Georgia is also vulnerable to hurricanes , although direct hurricane strikes were rare during the 20th century. Georgia often is affected by hurricanes that strike the Florida Panhandle , weaken over land, and bring strong tropical storm winds and heavy rain to the interior, a recent example being Hurricane Michael , as well as hurricanes that come close to
847-447: A due-east direction before curving to the southeast, where they intersect SR 49 . Here, SR 49 Conn. ends, and SR 540 and the FLF take SR 49 to the northeast. They curve to the east-northeast and then back to the northeast. They cross over Mule Creek and enter Powersville . There, they intersect the western terminus of SR 247 Conn. (Robert Ray Parkway) and the southern terminus of Newell Road. The highways curve to
968-458: A generally northeastern direction until entering Upatoi . There, they curve to the southeast. Then, they curve back to the east-northeast and cross over Baker Creek, where they leave the city limits of Columbus and Muscogee County and enter Talbot County . The highway continues to the east-northeast and travels just to the north of Box Springs . After beginning to head to the northeast, FLF crosses over Rockmore and Upatoi creeks and intersects
1089-649: A governor appointed by the king of Great Britain . The Province of Georgia was one of the Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution by signing the 1776 Declaration of Independence . The State of Georgia's first constitution was ratified in February 1777. Georgia was the 10th state to ratify the Articles of Confederation on July 24, 1778, and was
1210-835: A national leader in the civil rights movement . King joined with others to form the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in Atlanta in 1957 to provide political leadership for the Civil Rights Movement across the South. The civil rights riots of the 1956 Sugar Bowl would also take place in Atlanta after a clash between Georgia Tech 's president Blake R. Van Leer and Governor Marvin Griffin . On February 5, 1958, during
1331-416: A separate exit on the westbound side. The highways then meet Blackmon and Schomburg roads. After a curve to the southeast, the freeway ends, and the roadway changes to a divided highway . Almost immediately, they have an interchange with US 27 Alternate (US 27 Alt.) and SR 85 . They curve to the east-northeast and then meet the eastern terminus of SR 22 Spur (Macon Road). They travel in
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#17327731537571452-531: A state-wide office. Julian Bond , a noted civil rights leader, was elected to the state House in 1965, and served multiple terms there and in the state senate. Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. testified before Congress in support of the Civil Rights Act, and Governor Carl Sanders worked with the Kennedy administration to ensure the state's compliance. Ralph McGill , editor and syndicated columnist at
1573-577: A town in 1901. Wrens was incorporated again as a city in 1970. Wrens is located at 33°12′29″N 82°23′15″W / 33.208171°N 82.387520°W / 33.208171; -82.387520 . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 3.0 square miles (7.8 km ), of which 3.0 square miles (7.8 km ) is land and 0.33% is water. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 2,217 people, 880 households, and 591 families residing in
1694-690: A training mission flown by a B-47 , a Mark 15 nuclear bomb , also known as the Tybee Bomb , was lost off the coast of Tybee Island near Savannah. The bomb was thought by the Department of Energy to lie buried in silt at the bottom of Wassaw Sound . By the 1960s, the proportion of African Americans in Georgia had declined to 28% of the state's population, after waves of migration to the North and some immigration by whites. With their voting power diminished, it took some years for African Americans to win
1815-404: A transportation hub, in 1991 UPS established its headquarters in the suburb of Sandy Springs . In 1992, construction finished on Bank of America Plaza , the tallest building in the U.S. outside of New York or Chicago. On February 19th, 2003, Georgia adopted its current state flag , resembling the state's first official flag. In 2024, it was announced that Atlanta would host multiple games during
1936-506: A variety of pines, oaks, hollies, cypress , sweetgum , scaly-bark and white hickories , and sabal palmetto . East Georgia is in the subtropical coniferous forest biome and conifer species as other broadleaf evergreen flora make up the majority of the southern and coastal regions. Yellow jasmine and mountain laurel make up just a few of the flowering shrubs in the state. White-tailed deer are found in nearly all counties of Georgia. The northern mockingbird and brown thrasher are among
2057-495: Is 112 °F (44 °C) in Louisville on July 24, 1952, while the lowest is −17 °F (−27 °C) in northern Floyd County on January 27, 1940. Georgia is one of the leading states in frequency of tornadoes , though they are rarely stronger than EF1 . Although tornadoes striking the city are very rare, an EF2 tornado hit downtown Atlanta on March 14, 2008, causing moderate to severe damage to various buildings. With
2178-609: Is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States . It borders Tennessee to the northwest, North Carolina to the north, South Carolina to the northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, Florida to the south, and Alabama to the west. Of the 50 United States , Georgia is the 24th-largest by area and eighth most populous . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , its 2023 estimated population
2299-499: Is also the western terminus of SR 22. On the Alabama side of the state line, US 80 (and the unsigned designation Alabama State Route 8 ) travel on the J.R. Allen Parkway, a freeway into Phenix City. On the Georgia side, US 80, SR 22, SR 540, and the FLF utilize the parkway as a bypass of most of Columbus. They head to the east-northeast and curve to the northeast. Immediately, they have an interchange with
2420-539: Is considered complete. Other documents suggest that GDOT has entertained the idea of a Wrens bypass, however. The highway was estimated to cost $ 75.3 million. Between 2013 and 2015, a new road was built from SR 243 north-northeast of Ivey to US 441/SR 29 south-southeast of Scottsboro . The segment between the Scottsboro and Sandersville areas was completed and opened to traffic in October 2016. In 2016,
2541-570: Is felt chiefly in the mountainous areas of the northern part of the state, which are farther away from the ocean and can be 4,500 feet (1,400 m) above sea level. The USDA plant hardiness zones for Georgia range from zone 6b (no colder than −5 °F (−21 °C)) in the Blue Ridge Mountains to zone 8b (no colder than 15 °F (−9 °C) ) along the Atlantic coast and Florida border. The highest temperature ever recorded
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#17327731537572662-463: Is now East Macon. In 1988, it was completed, with US 80/SR 22 shifted onto it. The northern bypass of Fort Valley, designated as SR 49 Connector, was proposed on its current path. Also, the northern bypass of Sandersville, designated as SR 816 , was proposed from Deepstep Road northwest of the city to SR 88 east-northeast of it. In 1989, SR 816's proposed path was extended westward to SR 24 west of Sandersville. In 1991,
2783-417: Is now named Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The busiest and most efficient airport in the world, it accommodates more than a hundred million passengers annually. Employing more than 60,000 people, the airport became a major engine for economic growth. With the advantages of cheap real estate, low taxes, right-to-work laws and a regulatory environment limiting government interference,
2904-549: The Atlanta Constitution , earned admiration by writing in support of the Civil Rights Movement. In 1970, newly elected Governor Jimmy Carter declared in his inaugural address that the era of racial segregation had ended. In 1972, Georgians elected Andrew Young to Congress as the first African American Congressman since the Reconstruction era . In 1980, construction was completed on an expansion of what
3025-421: The 1980 census , 1,584,303 people from Georgia claimed English ancestry out of a total state population of 3,994,817, making them 40% of the state, and the largest ethnic group at the time. Today, many of these same people claiming they are of "American" ancestry are actually of English descent, and some are of Scots-Irish descent; however, their families have lived in the state for so long, in many cases since
3146-773: The 2020 United States census . This was an increase of 1,024,255, or 10.57% over the 2010 figure of 9,687,653 residents. As of 2010 , the number of illegal immigrants living in Georgia more than doubled to 480,000 from January 2000 to January 2009, according to a federal report. That gave Georgia the greatest percentage increase among the 10 states with the biggest undocumented immigrant populations during those years. Georgia has banned sanctuary cities . In 2018, The top countries of origin for Georgia's immigrants were Mexico , India , Jamaica , Korea , and Guatemala . There were 743,000 veterans in 2009. According to HUD 's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report , there were an estimated 10,689 homeless people in Georgia. In
3267-692: The 2026 FIFA World Cup , which further substantiated the economic investment and growth in the city and state. Beginning from the Atlantic Ocean, the state's eastern border with South Carolina runs up the Savannah River , northwest to its origin at the confluence of the Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers . It then continues up the Tugaloo (originally Tugalo) and into the Chattooga River , its most significant tributary . These bounds were decided in
3388-545: The American Civil War , were almost exclusively enslaved. The Great Migration of hundreds of thousands of blacks from the rural South to the industrial North from 1914 to 1970 reduced the African American population. Georgia had the second-fastest-growing Asian population growth in the U.S. from 1990 to 2000, more than doubling in size during the ten-year period. Indian people and Chinese people are
3509-990: The Apalachicola , the Chatot , the Yuchi , the Chiaha, the Chickasaw , the Okmulgee, the Shawnee and the Timucua . Today there are no federally recognized tribes in Georgia, but there are three state-recognized tribes. Many inhabitants of Georgia identify as being Native American alone (32,151 people in 2010 census and 50,618 in 2020) or Native American in combination with one or more other races (51,873 people in 2010 census and 163,423 in 2020). Many Georgians also reported belonging to various Native American tribes in 2010 census,
3630-579: The Chattahoochee River near West Point . It continues downriver to the point where it joins the Flint River (the confluence of the two forming Florida's Apalachicola River ); the southern border goes almost due east and very slightly south, in a straight line to the St. Mary's River , which then forms the remainder of the boundary back to the ocean. The water boundaries are still set to be
3751-519: The Civil War , it was the last state to be readmitted to the Union on July 15, 1870. In the late 19th century, during the post- Reconstruction period, Georgia's economy underwent significant changes, driven by a coalition of influential politicians, business leaders, and journalists, notably Henry W. Grady , who promoted the " New South " ideology focused on reconciliation and industrialization . In
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3872-563: The Confederacy (with secessionists having a slight majority of delegates) and became a major theater of the Civil War . Major battles took place at Chickamauga , Kennesaw Mountain , and Atlanta . In December 1864, a large swath of the state from Atlanta to Savannah was destroyed during General William Tecumseh Sherman 's March to the Sea . 18,253 Georgian soldiers died in service, roughly one of every five who served. In 1870, following
3993-615: The Eastern Continental Divide , has been Georgia's capital city since 1868. It is the most populous city in Georgia, with a 2020 U.S. census population of just over 498,000. The state has seventeen cities with populations over 50,000, based on official 2020 U.S. census data. Along with the rest of the Southeast, Georgia's population continues to grow rapidly, with primary gains concentrated in urban areas. The U.S. Census Bureau lists fourteen metropolitan areas in
4114-659: The Mississippi River . On January 2, 1788, Georgia became the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution . Between 1802 and 1804, a portion of western Georgia was carved out to create the Mississippi Territory , which eventually became the U.S. states of Alabama and Mississippi . Georgia declared its secession from the Union on January 19, 1861, joining the ranks of the original seven Confederate States . After
4235-479: The North Georgia mountains , receives moderate to heavy precipitation, which varies from 45 inches (1,100 mm) in central Georgia to approximately 75 inches (1,900 mm) around the northeast part of the state. The degree to which the weather of a certain region of Georgia is subtropical depends on the latitude, its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico , and the elevation. The latter factor
4356-528: The Ogeechee River to enter Jefferson County . After curving to the north-northeast, they enter the Grange community. There, they intersect SR 171 (Grange Road). Then, the highways cross over Rocky Comfort Creek . After that, they curve to the northeast. Just before an intersection with the southern terminus of Hadden Pond Road, they curve back to the east-northeast. SR 88, SR 540, and
4477-538: The Reconstruction era , Georgia became the last Confederate state to be restored to the Union . With white Democrats having regained power in the state legislature, they passed a poll tax in 1877, which disenfranchised many poor black (and some white) people, preventing them from registering. In 1908, the state established a white primary ; with the only competitive contests within the Democratic Party, it
4598-766: The Southern Baptist Convention with 1,759,317; the United Methodist Church with 619,394; and the Roman Catholic Church with 596,384. Non-denominational Evangelical Protestant had 566,782 members, the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) has 175,184 members, and the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. has 172,982 members. The Presbyterian Church (USA) is the largest Presbyterian body in
4719-692: The Tennessee River . Georgia consists of five principal physiographic regions : The Cumberland Plateau , Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians , Blue Ridge Mountains , Piedmont , and the Atlantic coastal plain . Each region has its own distinctive characteristics. For instance, the region, which lies in the northwest corner of the state, includes limestone, sandstone, shale, and other sedimentary rocks, which have yielded construction-grade limestone, barite, ocher, and small amounts of coal. The state of Georgia has approximately 250 tree species and 58 protected plants. Georgia's native trees include red cedar ,
4840-624: The "Middle Georgia Corridor," part of the proposed Interstate 14 Gulf Coast Strategic Highway; however, the route would require substantial upgrades (including several bypasses) to meet interstate highway standards. Contrary to its description as a "freeway," the Fall Line Freeway is a four-lane divided highway , except for short two-lane sections west of Sandersville and within Wrens and undivided portions in places like Reynolds , Macon , and Ivey . Four freeway sections exist: following
4961-712: The 100 fastest-growing in the United States. Georgia is defined by a diversity of landscapes, flora, and fauna. The northern part of the state features the Blue Ridge Mountains , which are part of the broader Appalachian Mountain range. Moving south, the Piedmont plateau stretches from the foothills of the Blue Ridge to the Fall Line , an escarpment that marks the transition to the Coastal Plain in
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5082-533: The 16-mile-long (26 km) widening of SR 24 to the Sandersville bypass, was awarded to Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc. of Fleming Island, Florida in January 2013. It appears as though GDOT has delayed plans to address the highway's passage through the city of Wrens , where it reduces to a two-lane road through downtown with a center turn lane . According to GDOT's GRIP maps, the section through Wrens
5203-571: The 160 bird species that live in the state. Reptiles include the eastern diamondback , copperhead , and cottonmouth snakes as well as alligators; amphibians include salamanders , frogs and toads . There are about 79 species of reptile and 63 amphibians known to live in Georgia. The Argentine black and white tegu is currently an invasive species in Georgia. It poses a problem to local wildlife by chasing down and killing many native species and dominating habitats. The most popular freshwater game fish are trout , bream , bass , and catfish , all but
5324-420: The 1797 Treaty of Beaufort , and tested in the U.S. Supreme Court in the two Georgia v. South Carolina cases in 1923 and 1989. The border then takes a sharp turn around the tip of Rabun County , at latitude 35°N , though from this point it diverges slightly south (due to inaccuracies in the original survey, conducted in 1818). This northern border was originally the Georgia and North Carolina border all
5445-562: The 18th century from rice-growing regions of West Africa led to the development of Gullah -Geechee language and culture in the Low Country among African Americans. They share a unique heritage in which many African traditions of food, religion and culture were retained. In the creolization of Southern culture, their foodways became an integral part of Low Country cooking. Sephardic Jews, French-speaking Swiss people, Moravians, Irish convicts, Piedmont Italians and Russian people immigrated to
5566-573: The 4th state to ratify the United States Constitution on January 2, 1788. After the Creek War (1813–1814) , General Andrew Jackson forced the Muscogee (Creek) tribes to surrender land to the state of Georgia, including in the Treaty of Fort Jackson (1814) , surrendering 21 million acres in what is now southern Georgia and central Alabama, and the Treaty of Indian Springs (1825) . In 1829, gold
5687-512: The Atlanta metropolitan area became a national center of finance, insurance, technology, manufacturing, real estate, logistics, and transportation companies, as well as the film, convention, and trade show businesses. As a testament to the city's growing international profile, in 1990 the International Olympic Committee selected Atlanta as the site of the 1996 Summer Olympics . Taking advantage of Atlanta's status as
5808-618: The Coach Billy Henderson Interchange with Sardis Church Road. Approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) later is an interchange with Hartley Bridge Road. About 1 mile (1.6 km) later, they meet the southern terminus of I-475 (and its unsigned companion designation SR 408 ). They curve to the northeast. At a bridge over Rocky Creek, they enter the city limits of Macon . Immediately, they have an interchange with US 41 / SR 247 (Pio Nono Avenue). Within this interchange, I-75, SR 401, SR 540, and
5929-482: The FLF cross over Duhart Creek, curve to a northeasterly direction, and intersect SR 296 . They cross over Big Creek and curve back to the northeast. After beginning a curve to the east-southeast, they enter Wrens . They intersect US 1 , US 221 , SR 4 , and SR 17 ( Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway ). SR 88, SR 540, and the FLF turn left onto the other highways. US 1, US 221, SR 4, SR 17, SR 88, SR 540, and
6050-417: The FLF curve back to the north-northeast. Just after this interchange, they have a partial exit with Rocky Creek Road, which is only accessed from the westbound lanes. Access to US 41 north and SR 247 north for the westbound lanes is provided via this interchange. Approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) later, they curve to a nearly due-north direction and meet US 80/SR 22 (Eisenhower Parkway). At
6171-426: The FLF intersect another former segment of SR 96. The highway enters Junction City . It curved to the east-southeast and intersects Old Mauk Road, which leads to the main part of Junction City. It curved to the east-northeast and intersected the southern terminus of Buckner Road, which also leads to the main part of the city. At this intersection, SR 90 turns right to the south-southeast. The FLF curves back to
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#17327731537576292-404: The FLF split off to the east. The highways curve to a northeasterly direction. They intersect the northern terminus of SR 87 Conn. (Ocmulgee East Boulevard) and the southern terminus of Jeffersonville Road. After a gradual curve to the east-southeast, they intersect the western terminus of SR 57 and the southern terminus of Hitchcock Road. Here, US 80 and SR 19 turned right to
6413-444: The FLF travel to the north-northeast, into the main part of the city. At an intersection with the western terminus of Howard Street, SR 17 departs the concurrency to the north-northwest on Thomson Highway. In downtown Wrens, they intersect SR 80 (Broad Street), where SR 88 departs the concurrency to the east-northeast. They curve to the northeast and intersect the eastern terminus of SR 47 . Here, US 221 departs
6534-463: The FLF turn right onto the other highways. The six highways (plus Emery Highway and the FLF) travel due east. They curve to the east-northeast and enter the northern part of Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park . They reach the main entrance to the park. This is also the southern terminus of Jeffersonville Road, which leads to Bowden Golf Course . The highways curve to the southeast and temporarily leave
6655-621: The Fall Line Freeway as a future extension of I-14 , which currently connects Copperas Cove to Belton, Texas . The extension, if ultimately built, will cross Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, ending in Augusta, Georgia. This routing is listed under High Priority Corridor 102, the Middle Georgia Corridor, with I-14 generally following (and possibly overlapping part of) the FLF. A timeline for this has not been determined. Georgia (U.S. state) Georgia
6776-492: The Georgia coastline, brushing the coast on their way north without ever making landfall. Hurricane Matthew of 2016 and Hurricane Dorian of 2019 did just that. Due to anthropogenic climate change , the climate of Georgia is warming. This is already causing major disruption, for example, from sea level rise (Georgia is more vulnerable to it than many other states because its land is sinking) and further warming will increase it. Atlanta , located in north-central Georgia at
6897-564: The I-16 interchange. I-16 was proposed in Macon. SR 88 was established on the Sandersville–Wrens segment. In 1966, I-16 was completed in Macon. The next year, US 80/SR 22 was proposed to be shifted southward in the Macon area. In 1970, I-75 was completed just south of I-16. The next year, I-75 was completed in the Macon area. In 1983, the J.R. Allen Parkway, the freeway bypass of
7018-461: The J.R. Allen Parkway (part of US 80 / SR 22 ), which is the bypass north of Columbus , Interstate 75 (I-75) from Byron to Macon , I-16 in Macon, and the interchange with US 441 between Ivey and Sandersville , south of Milledgeville . The highway is designed to assist the flow of commercial traffic , providing an easier path for freight trucks carrying goods between Columbus and Augusta , avoiding Atlanta . Much of
7139-789: The Phil Walden Memorial Interchange. Here, SR 540 and the FLF split off of I-16 and begin following US 80/SR 87. They travel to the northeast and pass the Macon Coliseum . Then they curve to the north-northeast and pass the Georgia Secretary of State 's Professional Licensing Boards Division. An intersection with the appropriately named Hospital Drive leads to Coliseum Medical Centers. Approximately 1,000 feet (300 m) later, they intersect US 23/ US 129 Alt. /SR 19 (Emery Highway). Here, US 80, SR 87, SR 540, and
7260-403: The Sandersville bypass was completed and redesignated as a westward extension of SR 88. The next year, SR 49 Conn. was completed. In 1993, a southern bypass of Butler, designated as SR 827 , was proposed from SR 96 west-northwest of the city to SR 96 east of it. In 1997, the western part of SR 758 was completed. In 1999, this bypass's proposed designation, SR 827,
7381-750: The Supreme Court's ruling in Worcester v. Georgia (1832) that U.S. states were not permitted to redraw Indian boundaries, President Jackson and the state of Georgia ignored the ruling. In 1838, his successor, Martin Van Buren , dispatched federal troops to gather the tribes and deport them west of the Mississippi . This forced relocation, known as the Trail of Tears , led to the death of more than four thousand Cherokees. In early 1861, Georgia joined
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#17327731537577502-437: The United States, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Atlanta , located in the suburb city of Lilburn . Georgia is home to large Sikh religion population with 4 gurudwaras (Sikh religious worship places). Georgia is home to several historic synagogues including The Temple (Atlanta) , Congregation Beth Jacob (Atlanta) , and Congregation Mickve Israel (Savannah) . Chabad and the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute are also active in
7623-466: The beginning of SR 96 to the northeast. Almost immediately, it intersects the western terminus of SR 240 . The roadway curves to the east-southeast and leaves Geneva. The highway then intersects a former segment of SR 96. Then, it begins a gradual curve to the northeast. Right after curving back to the south-southeast, it begins a concurrency with SR 90 . Approximately 2,000 feet (610 m) later, SR 90, SR 96, SR 540, and
7744-423: The colonial period, that they choose to identify simply as having "American" ancestry or do not in fact know their own ancestry. Their ancestry primarily goes back to the original thirteen colonies and for this reason many of them today simply claim "American" ancestry, though they are of predominantly English ancestry. Historically, about half of Georgia's population was composed of African Americans who, before
7865-399: The colony's settlement, known as the Oglethorpe Plan , which envisioned an agrarian society of yeoman farmers and prohibited slavery. The colony was invaded by the Spanish in 1742, during the War of Jenkins' Ear . In 1752, after the government failed to renew subsidies that had helped support the colony, the Trustees turned over control to the crown . Georgia became a crown colony , with
7986-460: The concurrency, with it and SR 47 traveling to the north-northwest. After leaving Wrens, US 1, SR 4, SR 540, and the FLF cross over Reedy Creek on the Floyd L. Norton Memorial Bridge. They curve to the north-northeast and cross over Brier Creek, entering Richmond County and the city limits of Augusta . US 1, SR 4, SR 540, and the FLF curve to the east-northeast and cross over Boggy Gut Creek . After curving back to
8107-429: The east-northeast. Along the way to Sandersville , they cross over Buffalo Creek. Just west of the city, the highways intersect the eastern terminus of SR 68 (Tennille–Macon Road) and the southern terminus of SR 24 Spur (Yank Brown Road). SR 24, SR 540, and the FLF travel on a northern bypass of the main part of the city. They curve to the northeast and cross over Limestone Creek. Then they intersect
8228-452: The east-northeast. They skirt through the extreme northeastern part of the city. When they again leave Gordon, they enter Ivey . The highways curve to the north-northeast and then cross over Lake Tchukolaho on the McCook Bridge. At a crossing over Beaver Creek on the O.L. "Red" Brooks Memorial Bridge, the highways leave Ivey. They begin a curve to the east-northeast to an intersection where former SR 243 turns left onto Pennington Highway to
8349-403: The east-southeast, and SR 540 and the FLF continue to the north-northeast. They function like a bypass of the main part of Gordon . They curve to the northeast and cross over Little Commissioner Creek. Just northwest of the city, the highways intersect SR 18 (Gray Highway). They curve to the east-southeast and enter the northern part of Gordon. They temporarily leave Gordon and curve to
8470-461: The east-southeast, leaving the city limits and enters Taylor County . The FLF (SR 96, SR 540 ) travels through the southern part of Howard . Just after beginning a curve to the south-southeast, it intersects the western terminus of Old 96 Road, the former path of SR 96 through Butler . The highway travels on a southern bypass of the city. Just west of the city is an intersection with SR 137 (Charing Road). The highway curves to
8591-455: The east-southeast. Just before an intersection with the northern terminus of Payne Farm Road and the southern terminus of Tower Street, it enters the southern part of Butler. There, it intersects US 19 / SR 3 (South Broad Street). Just after leaving the city limits of Butler, the highway curves to the northeast. After a curve to the east-northeast, it intersects the eastern terminus of SR 96's former path through Butler. It curves to
8712-531: The highway formerly used the southern portion of SR 243 , from southwest of Gordon to north-northeast of Ivey , until that highway was decommissioned . The portion of the highway from north-northeast of Ivey to southeast of Milledgeville was a newly built highway, specifically for this project. In November 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was enacted, designating the Fall Line Freeway corridor from Columbus to Augusta as
8833-441: The highway that are two lanes , separated by a center turn lane : a brief portion in west-central Washington County (west of Sandersville) and another brief portion in northern Jefferson County (completely within the city limits of Wrens). As of August 2018, the Fall Line Freeway is 100% open to traffic. Between August 2017 and July 2018, the highway was completed. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) announced that
8954-569: The highway was officially signed as SR 540 on September 24, 2018, as the newest state route in the state. Most of the FLF was a piecing together of segments of pre-existing highways, upon which SR 540 was designated in September 2018. It consists of U.S. Route 80 (US 80) from the Alabama state line to Geneva and from Macon to East Macon ; SR 22 from Alabama to Geneva; SR 41 in Geneva; SR 96 from Geneva to
9075-400: The largest Asian groups in Georgia. In addition, according to census estimates, Georgia ranks third among the states in terms of the percent of the total population that is African American (after Mississippi and Louisiana ) and third in numeric Black population after New York and Florida. Georgia also has a sizeable Latino population. Many are of Mexican descent. Georgia is the state with
9196-691: The largest of which was the Cherokee (21,525 people). Other tribes reported in Georgia in 2010 included for example the Muscogee (2,370 people), the Choctaw (1,419), the Sioux (1,027), the Seminole (664) and more. Georgia's 2018 total gross state product was $ 602 billion. For years Georgia as a state has had the highest credit rating by Standard & Poor's (AAA) and is one of only 15 states with
9317-441: The last of which are produced in state hatcheries for restocking. Popular saltwater game fish include red drum , spotted seatrout , flounder , and tarpon . Porpoises , whales, shrimp , oysters , and blue crabs are found inshore and offshore of the Georgia coast. The majority of the state is primarily a humid subtropical climate . Hot and humid summers are typical, except at the highest elevations. The entire state, including
9438-526: The main part of Columbus, was proposed along its current path. By the beginning of 1986, this freeway was under construction from the Alabama state line to just east of US 27/SR 1. A southeastern bypass of Macon, designated as SR 758 , was proposed from US 80/SR 22 at US 41 Bus./US 129 Alt./SR 11 in the southern part of the city east-northeast, northeast, and north-northeast to US 23/US 80/US 129 Alt./SR 19/SR 87 east of Ocmulgee National Monument in what
9559-522: The mid-20th century, several notable figures from Georgia, including Martin Luther King Jr. , emerged as key leaders in the civil rights movement . Atlanta was chosen to host the 1996 Summer Olympics , celebrating the centennial of the modern Olympic Games . Since 1945, Georgia has experienced significant population and economic expansion, aligning with the larger Sun Belt trend. Between 2007 and 2008, 14 of Georgia's counties were listed among
9680-488: The new portion of highway was extended to SR 24 southeast of Milledgeville, and SR 243 was extended on it. Between August 2017 and July 2018, the highway was completed. GDOT announced to the public that the highway was officially signed as Georgia State Route 540 on September 24, 2018. In October 2018, GDOT began installing SR 540 shields in Columbus. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act designated
9801-400: The north-northeast and cross over South Prong Creek. The concurrency begins to curve back to the northeast. On this curve, they cross over Spirit Creek. This crossing is just south of Gordon Lakes Golf Course. They intersect the northern terminus of Willis Foreman Road before an interchange with Tobacco Road . They cross over Butler Creek and curve to the east-northeast to an intersection with
9922-496: The north-northeast, while SR 540 and the FLF continue to the east-northeast. A short distance later, they clip the southern corner of Baldwin County . The highways re-enter Wilkinson County. They curve to the northeast and cross over Black Creek. They curve back to the east-northeast to an interchange with US 441 / SR 29 . SR 540 and the FLF curve to the north-northeast and re-enter Baldwin County. They curve back to
10043-475: The north-northeast. They enter Byron . In the city, they intersect SR 42 . At an interchange with I-75 (and its unsigned companion designation SR 401 ), SR 540 and the FLF split off of SR 49 and follow I-75 to the north. I-75, SR 401, SR 540, and the FLF curve to the north-northeast and leave Byron and then re-enter Crawford County. Just a short distance later, they cross over Echeconnee Creek into Bibb County . The highways reach
10164-488: The northeast and intersect the southern terminus of SR 49 Conn. Here, SR 96 turns right to the southeast, towards Fort Valley , while SR 49 Conn., SR 540, and the FLF head to the northeast on a bypass of the city. They curve to the east-northeast. Just after an intersection with Peggy Drive, they pass Fort Valley Middle School. After a curve to the northeast, they pass Hunt Elementary School and intersect US 341 / SR 7 (Hartley Road). They curve to
10285-547: The northeast, they cross over Sandy Run Creek. Then, they curve to the east, before curving to the east-northeast. The highways enter the city limits of Blythe . They intersect the western terminus of Church Street, which leads to Blythe city hall, a U.S. Post Office, and Blythe Elementary School. They begin a curve to the northeast. On this curve they intersect SR 88 and the southern terminus of Hoods Chapel Road. They leave Blythe and re-enter Augusta. They curve to
10406-473: The northeast. Just after beginning to curve back to the north-northeast, they meet SR 112 . They cross over Reedy Creek and curve to the northeast. They cross over the Oconee River at a point just southeast of the southeastern point of Milledgeville . They curve to the east-northeast and then to the southeast. They then begin a concurrency with SR 24 . SR 540 and the FLF take SR 24 to
10527-433: The northern terminus of Meadowbrook Drive and the southern terminus of Barton Chapel Road . The roadway begins a curve back to the northeast. At an interchange with I-520 ( Bobby Jones Expressway ; and its unsigned companion designation SR 415 ), both SR 540 and the FLF end, while US 1 and SR 4 continue into the heart of Augusta. The roadway that would eventually become SR 540 (Fall Line Freeway)
10648-418: The northern terminus of SR 22 Connector (SR 22 Conn.; Manchester Expressway). Just over 1,000 feet (300 m) later, they meet SR 219 (River Road). After an interchange with Bradley Park Drive, they meet Interstate 185 (I-185 and its unsigned companion designation SR 411 ) and US 27 / SR 1 (Veterans Parkway). On the eastbound side is also access to Moon Road, which has
10769-411: The northern terminus of SR 355 . It curves to an easterly direction and intersects SR 41 , which joins the concurrency. US 80, SR 22, SR 41, SR 540, and the FLF curves to the northeast and enters Geneva . In the central part of the city, US 80, SR 22, and SR 41 make a left turn to the north-northwest at the western terminus of SR 96 . Here, the FLF takes
10890-490: The northern terminus of New Haven Church Road and the southern terminus of Old Griswoldville Road, they begin a curve to the east-northeast and travel north of Birdsong Pond. After this curve, they cross over Clear Creek. A short distance later, they enter Wilkinson County . Nearly 3,000 feet (910 m) later, the highways begin a curve to the north-northeast and intersect the western terminus of former SR 243 and Maddox Road. Here, SR 57 turns right onto Maddox Road to
11011-548: The original thalweg of the rivers. Since then, several have been inundated by lakes created by dams, including the Apalachicola/Chattahoochee/Flint point now under Lake Seminole . An 1818 survey erroneously placed Georgia's border with Tennessee one mile (1.6 km) south of the intended location of the 35th parallel north. State legislators still dispute this placement , as correction of this inaccuracy would allow Georgia access to water from
11132-409: The park's boundary. Almost immediately, they re-enter the park's boundary. They cross over Walnut Creek, leave the park's boundary, leave the city limits of Macon and enter East Macon . Approximately 3,000 feet (910 m) later, they begin a curve to the east. Right after this, US 23, US 129 Alt., and SR 87 resume their southeasterly course, while US 80, SR 19, SR 540, and
11253-536: The proposed roadway between Ivey and Sandersville was also canceled. In 2006, SR 96 was shifted onto the Butler bypass. Also, SR 758 was decommissioned . Between 2011 and 2013, SR 243 was extended southward as a western bypass of Gordon. The highway's final 9-mile-long (14 km) section of new roadway between SR 24 and US 441 south of Milledgeville in Baldwin and Wilkinson counties, as well of
11374-518: The route follows US 80, SR 96 , SR 24 , SR 88 , and US 1 / SR 4 , while other parts are separate alignments, such as much of the portion between Scottsboro and Sandersville. SR 540 and the FLF begin on an unnamed bridge over the Chattahoochee River , at the Alabama state line, on the Phenix City, Alabama – Columbus city line, concurrent with U.S. Route 80 (US 80) and SR 22 . The state line
11495-503: The second-highest total of these extralegal executions of any state in the South. The overwhelming number of victims were black and male. Political disfranchisement persisted through the mid-1960s, until after Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 . An Atlanta-born Baptist minister who was part of the educated middle class that had developed in Atlanta's African-American community, Martin Luther King Jr. , emerged as
11616-458: The south-southeast, while SR 540 and the FLF take SR 57 to the east-northeast. About 1 mile (1.6 km) later, the highways leave East Macon and enter Jones County . SR 57, SR 540, and the FLF curve to the east-southeast. After beginning a curve to the southeast, they enter Twiggs County . They curve back to the east-southeast, travel just south of Harrisons Lake, and cross over Big Sandy Creek. Just before an intersection with
11737-436: The south-southeast. They curve back to the southeast and cross over Town Creek just after a curve to the east-southeast. The highways curve back to the southeast and cross over Gumm Creek, entering Washington County . Approximately 2,000 feet (610 m) later, SR 24, SR 540, and the FLF curve to the east-southeast and intersect the northern terminus of SR 272 . They cross over Bluff Creek and then curve back to
11858-467: The southeast and enters Reynolds just before an intersection with the southern terminus of Hicks Road. It curves to the east and enters the main part of the city. It intersects SR 128 (Winston Street). Just west of Collins Street, the highway curves to the east-northeast. It curves to the east-southeast and leaves the city limits of Reynolds just to the west of an intersection with the northern terminus of South General John B. Gordon Road. It curves to
11979-462: The southeast and intersect SR 15 (Sparta Road). A short distance later, they leave the city limits of the city. They curve to the east-northeast and intersect Ridge Road. Here, SR 24 turns right to the south-southwest, while SR 540 and the FLF take the beginning of SR 88 to the east-northeast. They cross over Williamson Swamp Creek before intersecting the northern terminus of SR 231 (Tree Nursery Road). Then, they cross over
12100-544: The southeast and then back to the east- northeast. and crosses over the Flint River on the Ward Edwards Bridge. Here, it enters Crawford County . SR 96, SR 540, and the FLF curve to the east-southeast and then gradually curve to the northeast. During a curve to the east-northeast, they enter Peach County . Just to the west of Aldridge Road, they re-enter Crawford County. Less than 2,000 feet (610 m) later, they re-enter Peach County. They curve to
12221-407: The southeast and then have an interchange with US 23/ US 129 / SR 49 (Spring Street). Within this interchange, the roadway curves to the south-southeast. Almost immediately is a westbound-only interchange with SR 22 (Second Street). About 0.3 miles (0.48 km) later, they meet US 80/SR 87 (known as M.L. King Jr. Boulevard south of I-16 and Coliseum Drive north of it) at
12342-548: The southern region of the state. The highest elevation in the state is Brasstown Bald , reaching 4,784 feet (1,458 m) above sea level, while the lowest point is at the Atlantic Ocean . Except for some elevated areas in the Blue Ridge, Georgia predominantly experiences a humid subtropical climate . Among the states located entirely east of the Mississippi River, Georgia ranks as the largest in terms of land area . Before settlement by European colonists , Georgia
12463-489: The state during the colonial era. As of 2011 , 58.8% of Georgia's population younger than 1 were minorities (meaning they had at least one parent who was not non-Hispanic white) compared to other states like California with 75.1%, Texas with 69.8%, and New York with 55.6%. The largest European ancestry groups as of 2011 were: English 8.1%, Irish 8.1%, and German 7.2%. As of 2021 , 85.62% (8,711,102) of Georgia residents age 5 and older spoke English at home as
12584-595: The state, with 300 congregations and 100,000 members. The other large body, Presbyterian Church in America , had at its founding date 14 congregations and 2,800 members; in 2010 it counted 139 congregations and 32,000 members. The Roman Catholic Church is noteworthy in Georgia's urban areas, and includes the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the Diocese of Savannah . Georgia is home to the second-largest Hindu temple in
12705-423: The state. By the 2022 Public Religion Research Institute 's study, 71% of the population were Christian; throughout its Christian population, 60% were Protestant and 8% were Catholic. Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons collectively made up 3% of other Christians according to the study. Judaism , Islam , Buddhism , and Hinduism collectively formed 4% of the state's non-Christian population; New Age spirituality
12826-561: The state. The population of the Atlanta metropolitan area added 1.23 million people (24%) between 2000 and 2010, and Atlanta rose in rank from the eleventh-largest metropolitan area in the United States to the ninth-largest . The Atlanta metropolitan area is the cultural and economic center of the Southeast ; its official population in 2020 was over 6 million, or 57% of Georgia's total population. The United States Census Bureau reported Georgia's official population to be 10,711,908 as of
12947-462: The third-lowest percentage of older people (65 or older), at 12.8 percent (as of 2015 ). The colonial settlement of large numbers of Scottish American , English American and Scotch-Irish Americans in the mountains and Piedmont, and coastal settlement by some English Americans and African Americans, have strongly influenced the state's culture in food, language and music. The concentration of African slaves repeatedly "imported" to coastal areas in
13068-470: The way to the Mississippi River , until Tennessee was divided from North Carolina , and the Yazoo companies induced the legislature of Georgia to pass an act, approved by the governor in 1795, to sell the greater part of Georgia's territory presently comprising Alabama and Mississippi . The state's western border runs in a straight line south-southeastward from a point southwest of Chattanooga , to meet
13189-782: The west of Fort Valley; SR 90 from west of Junction City to Junction City; SR 49 Connector (SR 49 Conn.) from west of Fort Valley to Fort Valley; SR 49 from Fort Valley to Byron ; Interstate 75 (I-75) from Byron to Macon; I-16 in Macon; SR 87 from Macon to East Macon; US 23 / US 129 Alternate (US 129 Alt.) from Macon to East Macon; SR 19 from Macon to East Macon; SR 57 from East Macon to southwest of Gordon ; SR 24 from southeast of Milledgeville to east of Sandersville; SR 88 from east of Sandersville to Wrens; US 1 / SR 4 from Wrens to Augusta; US 221 in Wrens; and SR 17 in Wrens. From 2018 to 2019,
13310-513: The western terminus of SR 242 (West Church Street). They curve back to the east-northeast and intersect Deepstep Road, which leads to Oconee Fall Line Technical College . This intersection is on the edge of the city limits of Sandersville. Almost immediately, the highways enter the northern part of the city. They then intersect Linton Road, which leads to the Linton community, T.J. Elder Middle School, and Brentwood School . The highways curve to
13431-439: Was 11,029,227. Atlanta , a global city , is both the state's capital and its largest city. The Atlanta metropolitan area , with a population of more than 6.3 million people in 2023, is the sixth most populous metropolitan area in the United States and contains about 57% of Georgia's entire population. Other major metropolitan areas in the state include Augusta , Savannah , Columbus , and Macon . The Province of Georgia
13552-764: Was 2% of the religious population. Approximately 23% of the state was irreligious . Population percentage of Georgia in the United States 2010: 3.14% 2020: 3.23% Tribes which historically lived in what is now Georgia include the Muscogee (including the Hitchiti subgroup), the Cherokee , the Oconi , the Guale , the Yamasee and the Apalachee . Other tribes which at various times lived in or migrated through Georgia include
13673-533: Was 70% Protestant, 9% Catholic, 1% Mormon, 1% Jewish, 0.5% Muslim, 0.5% Buddhist, and 0.5% Hindu. Atheists , deists , agnostics, and other unaffiliated people make up 13% of the population. Overall, Christianity was the dominant religion in the state, as part of the Bible Belt . According to the Association of Religion Data Archives in 2010, the largest Christian denominations by number of adherents were
13794-561: Was another way to exclude black people from politics. They constituted 46.7% of the state's population in 1900, but the proportion of Georgia's population that was African American dropped thereafter to 28%, primarily due to tens of thousands leaving the state during the Great Migration . According to the Equal Justice Initiative 's 2015 report on lynching in the United States (1877–1950), Georgia had 531 deaths,
13915-419: Was canceled. In 2000, all of SR 758, except for the completed portion, was canceled. At this time, the Butler bypass was completed, but no route number was designated. In 2004, a new roadway, from SR 243 north-northeast of Ivey to SR 24 southeast of Milledgeville, was proposed. Also, SR 758 was re-proposed on its previous path. The next year, SR 758's proposed path was again canceled. Also,
14036-763: Was discovered in the North Georgia mountains leading to the Georgia Gold Rush and establishment of a federal mint in Dahlonega , which continued in operation until 1861. The resulting influx of American settlers put pressure on the federal U.S. government to take land from the Cherokee Nation . In 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed into law the Indian Removal Act , sending many eastern Indian nations to reservations in present-day Oklahoma, including all of Georgia's tribes. Despite
14157-403: Was established at least as early as 1919 as part of SR 22 in the northern part of the Columbus area, SR 49 from Fort Valley to Byron, SR 24 in the western part of the Sandersville area, and an unnumbered road from Wrens to Augusta. By the end of 1921, SR 22 was shifted southward to travel between Columbus and Geneva. SR 19 was established from Macon to East Macon. SR 57
14278-531: Was established between East Macon and Gordon. SR 24 was placed on the Wrens–Augusta segment. By October 1926, US 80 was designated on the Columbus–Geneva segment. US 1 was designated on the Wrens–Augusta segment. By October 1929, SR 24 was removed from the Wrens–Augusta segment and was replaced with SR 4. In 1931, SR 96 was established between Geneva and Reynolds. In 1937, SR 96
14399-468: Was established in 1732, with its first settlement occurring in 1733 when Savannah was founded. By 1752, Georgia had transitioned into a British royal colony , making it the last and southernmost of the original Thirteen Colonies . Named in honor of King George II of Great Britain , the Georgia Colony extended from South Carolina down to Spanish Florida and westward to French Louisiana along
14520-581: Was inhabited by the mound building cultures. The Province of Georgia was founded by British General James Oglethorpe at Savannah on February 12, 1733, a year after its creation as a new British colony. It was administered by the Trustees for the Establishment of the Colony of Georgia in America under a charter issued by (and named for) King George II . The Trustees implemented an elaborate plan for
14641-599: Was shifted to the southeast, onto the Reynolds–Fort Valley segment. Between January 1945 and November 1946, SR 243 was designated between Gordon to south-southwest of Milledgeville. Between June 1960 and June 1963, I-75 was proposed in the Byron area. An unnumbered road was built from SR 171 northwest of Louisville to Wrens. By 1966, I-75 was completed from Byron to the I-475 interchange and proposed from there to
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