GA STUDIES SS8G1

UNIT 1C: PHYSICAL FEATURES

OF GEORGIA

STUDENT NAME:
___________________________________________
____ 1

©Rachel Wells
 Unit 1: Georgia’s Geography SS8G1
LENGTH OF UNIT: 5 DAYS
Over the week, we’ll be studying the geographic regions, main physical features, and climate of Georgia.
Essential Questions:
1. In what ways do Georgia’s geographic 2. What impact does Georgia’s climate 3. How do Georgia’s physical features
regions impact the people who live there? have on the state? impact the state?
4. In what ways did access to water
develop economic growth in Georgia?
Learning Target STANDARD: SS8G1 Vocabulary
A. I can locate Georgia in relation to region, Continent - the world’s largest land masses.
nation, continent, and hemispheres. This Hemispheres - lines of latitude and longitude that divide the earth into halves.
means that I can locate the state of Georgia Nation - a land mass inhabited by people who share a common territory and
on maps and in scenarios. government.

Appalachian Plateau - Georgia’s smallest region located in the northwestern corner

B. I can explain the impact of Georgia’s of the state.
geographic regions on the people who live Blue Ridge Region - Georgia’s northeastern region; receives more rainfall than any
within those regions. This means that I can other region; many major rivers begin here.
name the regions, describe them, and explain Coastal Plain - Georgia’s largest region which makes up 3/5 of the state.
the main economic activities performed Piedmont Region - Georgia’s most populated region known for its red clay; also
within each. known as “foot of the mountains”.
Valley and Ridge - Georgia region characterized by low open valleys and narrow
ridges.

Appalachian Mountains - a mountain chain that stretches from Georgia to Maine.

C. I can explain the impact of Georgia’s Barrier Islands - islands located off the coast of Georgia; provides protection from
physical features on the state. This means hurricanes to the Georgia coast.
that I can name the physical features, Chattahoochee River - important Georgia river that forms part of the western
describe them, and explain how these boundary of the state.
features impact Georgia’s development over Fall Line - a geographic boundary that separates the Piedmont and Coastal Plain
time. regions; named for decrease in elevation.
Okefenokee Swamp - the largest swamp in North America; located in southeastern
Georgia.
Savannah River - major river that is used for trade and makes up Georgia’s eastern
border with South Carolina.

D. I can explain importance of water in

Georgia’s historical development and
economic growth. This means that I can
describe Georgia’s use of water. It also means
I can explain the relationship between water Deepwater Ports - important waterways used for shipping cargo; Georgia’s two deep
and the development of economic growth. water ports are in Savannah and Brunswick.

©Rachel Wells
 SS8G1C: Physical Features of Georgia
There are many physical features within the state of Georgia that make
the unique with its climate. The physical features of Georgia are the
Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Chattahoochee River, Savannah River,
Barrier Island and Appalachian Mountains.

The Fall Line is a boundary about 20 miles wide that separates Georgia’s Piedmont region
from the Coastal Plain region. This boundary is called the fall line because of the number of
waterfalls along the rivers of the Coastal Plain. During the 1700 and 1800s, the falls were
barriers for the river travelers. Major cities developed along the fall lines of the rivers. Rivers
were used to power mills. Today, they are used to create power from hydroelectric dams.
Columbus, Macon, Milledgeville, and Augusta became the centers of business because of
their position along the fall line and the rivers that ran through them. The geography is very
different north and south of the Fall Line. North of the fall line are crystal rocks, while in the
south are sedimentary rocks which formed over time from tiny particles left behind by air and
water. In the north there is clay soil, but the southern soil is sandy. There are also different
plant and animal species on either side of the fall line.
Answer all questions with sentences. *Restate the question*
1. What are the physical features of Georgia?

2. What physical feature is a boundary that is 20 miles wide that divides the Piedmont and
Coastal Plain region?

3. How did this physical feature get its name?

4. What developed along the fall lines?

5. What cities have become centers for business?

6. What are the differences between North of the fall line and South of the fall line?

©Rachel Wells
 SS8G1C: Physical Features of Georgia
The Okefenokee Swamp is home to more than 400 species of animals
and the Okefenokee Swamp is the largest swamp in North America. Almost
700 miles of the southeast corner of Georgia are covered by the swamp,
which the Seminole Indians called “land of the trembling Earth.” During the
Cretaceous period, the swamp was part of the ocean floor. It is now freshwater and drains
west through the Suwannee River to the Gulf of Mexico, and east through the St. Mary’s
River to the Atlantic Ocean. In 1937, President Franklin Roosevelt created the Okefenokee
National Wildlife Refuge and called it a natural treasure. This protected the swamp and
stopped logging companies from cutting down trees. Now the swamp exists in its natural state
without roads. This helps to keep the ecosystem, or natural environment, healthy.

The Chattahoochee River flows southwest from the Blue Ridge toward Alabama and into the
Gulf of Mexico. The Chattahoochee runs through the fall line, over many waterfalls and rock
formations. In the early 1800s, the first steamboat ran from Columbus to the Gulf of Mexico,
making Columbus a center for the state’s cotton industry. The waterfalls kept boats from
going north on the Chattahoochee most of the year. The Chattahoochee just north of Atlanta
was a fasting-moving river that powered mills during the Civil War. After World War I, dams
generated electricity and controlled flooding in nearby towns. Now people use the
Chattahoochee River for drinking water and recreation.
Answer all questions with sentences. *Restate the question*
1. What physical feature is home to more than 400 species of animals.

2. What type of water does it have now AND where does the swamp drain?

3. What did President Franklin Roosevelt do in 1937?

4. What does the swamp not have?

5. What is the next physical feature described in the passage?

6. What did Columbus become because of its location to this river?

7. What city used this river for powering mills during the Civil War?

8. How were dams used after World War I, along this river?

9. What are the uses of the river now?

©Rachel Wells
 SS8G1C: Physical Features of Georgia
The Savannah River is a natural boundary between Georgia and South
Carolina. The river begins at Lake Hartwell and flows southwest
towards Savannah. It finally empties into the Atlantic Ocean, just south
of Savannah. The Savannah River is the shipping channel of the Port of
Savannah, one of the nation’s busiest ports for ocean-bound ships. Hydroelectric dams
along the Savannah River power the area. The river is also a source of drinking water for
Augusta and Savannah and several nearby towns. People in some South Carolina towns also
get drinking water from the Savannah River. Pollution is a concern for the health of the river
and steps are being taken to keep it clean and healthy.

The Barrier Islands form a blockade between the mainland and the ocean. Georgia’s
coastline is guarded by a row of these islands which are constantly being formed by the wind,
waves, and currents. On Georgia’s barrier islands between the mainland and the ocean, also
called the Golden Isles, are beautiful resorts and beaches. Here, many people spend their
vacations on the beaches. Jekyll, Sea Island, St. Simons, and Tybee islands are
connected to the mainland by bridges and are the most developed. Tourists can only get to
the other barrier islands by boat. In addition to tourism, other industries on the barrier islands
include paper production and fishing.
Answer all questions with sentences. *Restate the question*
1. What physical feature creates a natural boundary between Georgia and South Carolina?

2. Where does this physical feature empty into?

3. What is the name of one the nation’s busiest ports for ocean-bound ships?

4. What is responsible for providing power to the Savannah Area?

5. What is a concern for the health of the river AND what’s being done about it?

6. What is the next physical feature that is mentioned in the passage?

7. Where is this physical feature located?

8. What are some examples of this physical feature that are located near Savannah?

9. In what ways are the Barrier Islands used? (There are 3 ways)

©Rachel Wells
 SS8G1C: Physical Features of Georgia
Appalachian Mountains are located in North Georgia, this mountain range
extends from Georgia to Maine. It has a great deal of precipitation.
Georgians use these mountains for tourism, recreation (Appalachian Trail),
and it provides money and jobs for the state.
Answer all questions with sentences. *Restate the question*
1. What physical feature is located in North Georgia?

2. Where does the mountain range extend?

3. What do Georgians use the Appalachian Mountains for?

Directions: Read the description of the physical feature and match it to the correct
physical feature.
A. This physical feature of Georgia is
4. ______ Okefenokee Swamp a mountain chain that extends from
Georgia all the way up to Maine. It
5. ______ Appalachian Mountains brings in tourists and helps the
economy.
6. ______ Chattahoochee River
B. This river makes our eastern border
7. ______ Savannah River with South Carolina.

8. ______ Fall Line C. This natural boundary separates

the Piedmont from the Coastal
9. ______ Barrier Islands Plain

D. This physical feature brings in

tourists and helps protect the main
coastline from erosion.

E. This river flows through Atlanta and

makes our border with Alabama.

F. This is the largest wetland with

fresh water in North America. It
brings in tourists and provides for
Georgia’s economy. 6

©Rachel Wells
 SS8G1C: Physical Features of Georgia
Directions: Read the map, locate AND LABEL the physical features of Georgia.

Physical Features of Georgia:

Appalachian Mountains,
Barrier Islands, Chattahoochee River,
Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp,
Savannah River

©Rachel Wells
 SS8G1C: Physical Features of Georgia
Directions: Read the question, identify the feature according to the letter marked on the
map, AND write out the physical feature on the line.

Physical Features of Georgia:

Appalachian Mountains,
Barrier Islands, Chattahoochee River,
Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp,
Savannah River

1. Which physical feature is located at the letter F on the map?

______________________________
2. Which physical feature is located at the letter G on the map?
______________________________
3. Which physical feature is located at the letter H on the map?
______________________________
4. Which physical feature is located at the letter I on the map?
______________________________
5. Which physical feature is located at the letter J on the map?
______________________________
6. Which physical feature is located at the letter K on the map?
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______________________________
©Rachel Wells
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