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Encyclopedia > Atlanta, Georgia
City of Atlanta
Downtown Atlanta seen from Bank of America Plaza.
Downtown Atlanta seen from Bank of America Plaza.
Flag of City of Atlanta
Flag
Nickname: Hotlanta,[1] The A-T-L[2]
Location in Fulton and DeKalb counties and the state of Georgia
Coordinates: 33°45′18″N 84°23′24″W / 33.755, -84.39
Country United States
State Georgia
Counties Fulton, DeKalb
Terminus 1837
Marthasville 1843
City of Atlanta 1847[3]
Government
 - Mayor Shirley Franklin (D)
Area
 - City 132.4 sq mi (343.0 km²)
 - Land 131.8 sq mi (341.2 km²)
 - Water 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
 - Urban 1,962.9 sq mi (5,083.9 km²)
 - Metro 8,376 sq mi (21,693.7 km²)
Elevation 738-1,050 ft (225-320 m)
Population (2007)
 - City 498,102
 - Density 3,690.5/sq mi (1,220.5/km²)
 - Urban 3,499,840
 - Metro 5,138,233 (9th Largest)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
Area code(s) 404, 678, 770
FIPS code 13-04000[4]
GNIS feature ID 0351615[5]
Major Airport Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport- ATL (Major/International)
Website: atlantaga.gov

Atlanta (pronounced /ætˈlæntə/) is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia, as well as the core city of the ninth most populous metropolitan area in the United States. It is the county seat of Fulton County, although a small portion of the city extends into DeKalb County. As of July 2006, the city of Atlanta had a population of 486,411[6] and a metropolitan population of 5,138,223.[7] Residents of the city are known as Atlantans. // Places The largest and best-known is Atlanta, Georgia; others include: Atlanta, Illinois, city Atlanta, Indiana, town Atlanta, Kansas, city Atlanta, Louisiana, village Atlanta, Michigan, unincorporated community Atlanta, Missouri, city Atlanta, Nebraska, village Atlanta, Texas, city Atlanta, Wisconsin, town Atlanta Township, Illinois Atlanta Township, Kansas Atlanta Township, Minnesota And in... Image File history File links Flag_of_Atlanta,_Georgia. ... EXAMPLE:Laughbox,Blondie,BamBam,Pinkie,etc. ... Image File history File links Fulton_County_Georgia_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Atlanta_Highlighted. ... Fulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. ... DeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. ... This list of countries, arranged alphabetically, gives an overview of countries of the world. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      The political units and divisions of the United States include: The 50 states... The U.S. state of Georgia is divided into 159 counties. ... Fulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. ... DeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. ... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger, greater) is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. ... Shirley Clarke Franklin (born May 10, 1945) is an American politician, a member of the Democratic Party, and the current mayor of Atlanta, Georgia since January 7, 2002. ... The Democratic Party is one of two major political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... For other uses, see City (disambiguation). ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... To help compare different orders of magnitude and geographical regions, we list here areas between 100 km² and 1000 km². See also areas of other orders of magnitude. ... Elevation histogram of the surface of the Earth – approximately 71% of the Earths surface is covered with water. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... This article is about the unit of length. ... For other uses, see City (disambiguation). ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... Cities with at least a million inhabitants in 2006 An urban area is an area with an increased density of human-created structures in comparison to the areas surrounding it. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... In the United States, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has produced a formal definition of metropolitan areas. ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... “Eastern Daylight Time” redirects here. ... -12 | -11 | -10 | -9:30 | -9 | -8 | -7 | -6 | -5 | -4 | -3:30 | -3 | -2:30 | -2 | -1 | -0:25 | UTC (0) | +0:20 | +0:30 | +1 | +2 | +3 | +3:30 | +4 | +4:30 | +4:51 | +5 | +5:30 | +5:40 | +5:45 | +6 | +6:30 | +7 | +7:20 | +7... Although DST is common in Europe and North America, most of the worlds people do not use it. ... Eastern Daylight Time or EDT is equal to: In North America, Eastern Standard Time + 1, or UTC − 4 hours. ... −12 | −11 | −10 | −9:30 | −9 | −8 | −7 | −6 | −5 | −4 | −3:30 | −3 | −2:30 | −2 | −1 | −0:25 | UTC (0) | +0:20 | +0:30 | +1 | +2 | +3 | +3:30 | +4 | +4:30 | +4:51 | +5 | +5:30 | +5:40 | +5:45 | +6 | +6:30 | +7 | +7:20 | +7... A telephone numbering plan is a plan for allocating telephone number ranges to countries, regions, areas and exchanges and to non-fixed telephone networks such as mobile phone networks. ... Area code 404 covers Atlanta and its immediate neighbors, roughly within Interstate 285. ... 678 is a telephone area code assigned to metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia and its suburbs and exurbs. ... 770 is a telephone area code assigned to [Central alabama]], Georgia and its suburbs and exurbs. ... Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) are publicly announced standards developed by the U.S. Federal government for use by all (non-military) government agencies and by government contractors. ... GNIS (The Geographic Names Information System) contains name and locative information about almost two million physical and cultural features located throughout the United States of America and its Territories. ... Atlanta Airport redirects here. ... Not to be confused with capitol. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      A U.S. state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of... In the United States, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has produced a formal definition of metropolitan areas. ... A county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county, primarily used in the United States. ... Fulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. ... DeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. ... The death toll from the July 2006 Java earthquake and the tsunami rises to 226. ... The Atlanta metropolitan area, commonly referred to as Metro Atlanta in Georgia, is the ninth-largest metropolitan area in the United States and consists of 28 counties in Georgia. ...


Atlanta has in recent years undergone a transition from a city of regional commerce to a city of international influence.[8] Between 2000 and 2006, the Atlanta metropolitan area grew 20.5%, making it the fastest growing metropolitan area in the nation.[9] Ten to fifteen years ago, Atlanta was sometimes considered a poster child for cities worldwide experiencing rapid growth and urban sprawl.[10][11] More recently, however, Atlanta has been commended by bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency for the city's ability to balance its ambitious growth, with smart, eco-friendly policies. [12] A poster that generates sympathy for a child in order to promote childrens health and solicit donations The phrase poster child (sometimes poster boy) originally referred to a child afflicted by some disease or deformity whose picture is used on posters to raise money for charitable purposes; he was... Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is the spreading out of a city and its suburbs over rural land at the fringe of an urban area. ...


During the Civil Rights Movement, Atlanta claimed to stand apart from southern cities that supported segregation, touting itself as "The City Too Busy to Hate." That characterization was sharply disputed by many Atlanta blacks, particularly student activists at Atlanta's black colleges and universities who from 1960 to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 waged a determined effort to desegregate public facilities through nonviolent direct action such as sit-ins and marches.[13] Eventually, the city's progressive civil rights record and existing population of blacks made it increasingly popular as a relocation destination for black Americans. Blacks soon became the dominant social and political force in the city, though today some measure of demographic diversification has taken place.[14] Along with Los Angeles and St. Louis, Atlanta is one of three cities in the United States to have hosted the Summer Olympic Games. Prominent figures of the African-American Civil Rights Movement. ... First page of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Pub. ... A sit-in or sit-down is a form of direct action that involves one or more persons nonviolently occupying an area for protest, often to promote political, social, or economic change. ... Los Angeles and L.A. redirect here. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Missouri Coordinates: , Country State County Independent City Government  - Mayor Francis G. Slay (D) Area  - City  66. ... Poster for the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp. ...

Contents

History

Main article: History of Atlanta
See also: Atlanta in the Civil War
A map showing roads and Indian trails circa 1815, with late 19th century Fulton County and City of Atlanta outlines overlaid.
A map showing roads and Indian trails circa 1815, with late 19th century Fulton County and City of Atlanta outlines overlaid.

On December 21, 1836 the Georgia General Assembly voted to build the Western and Atlantic Railroad to provide a trade route to the Midwest.[15] Following the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation between 1838 and 1839 the newly depopulated area was opened for the construction of a railroad. The area around the eastern terminus to the line began to develop first. By 1842, the settlement had six buildings and 30 residents and the town was renamed "Marthasville".[16] After a few renames, the Chief Engineer of the Georgia Railroad, J. Edgar Thomson, suggested that the area be renamed "Atlantica-Pacifica", which was quickly shortened to "Atlanta".[16] The residents approved, and the town was incorporated as "Atlanta" on December 29, 1847.[17] This article is about the state capital of Georgia. ... Atlanta, Georgia, was an important rail and commercial center during the American Civil War. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 431 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (526 × 731 pixel, file size: 69 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Atlanta, Georgia ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 431 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (526 × 731 pixel, file size: 69 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Atlanta, Georgia ... is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1836 (MDCCCXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Type Bicameral Houses Senate House of Representatives President of the Senate Casey Cagle, R since November 7, 2006 Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson, R since November 7, 2006 Members 236 Political groups (as of November 7, 2006 elections) Democratic Party Republican Party Meeting place Georgia State Capitol Web site... The Western & Atlantic Railroad of the State of Georgia (W&A) is a railroad that runs from Atlanta, Georgia, to Chattanooga, Tennessee. ... This article is about the Midwestern region in the United States. ... For the Norwegian musical group, see Trail of Tears (band); for the 2006 documentary, see The Trail of Tears: Cherokee Legacy. ... Alternate meanings: Cherokee (disambiguation) The Cherokee are a people native to North America who first inhabited what is now the eastern and southeastern United States before most were forcefully moved to the Ozark Plateau. ... | Jöns Jakob Berzelius, discoverer of protein 1838 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1839 (MDCCCXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... John Edgar Thomson (February 10, 1808-May 27, 1874) was an American civil engineer, railroad executive and industrialist. ... is the 363rd day of the year (364th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

A slave auction house on Whitehall Street
A slave auction house on Whitehall Street

As more railroads were constructed, the town experienced a small boom, reaching 2,500 in population. In 1848, the first mayor was elected, the first homicide occurred and the first jail was built. Sidewalks were constructed and a town marshal appointed. By 1854 another railroad connected Atlanta to LaGrange, and the town grew to 7,741 by 1860.[18][19] Atlanta in fall 1864, before it was burned by Shermans army. ... Atlanta in fall 1864, before it was burned by Shermans army. ... Slave redirects here. ... LaGrange is a city in Troup County, Georgia, United States. ...


During the American Civil War, Atlanta served as an important railroad and military supply hub. In 1864, the city became the target of a major Union invasion. The area now covered by Atlanta was the scene of several battles, including the Battle of Peachtree Creek, the Battle of Atlanta, and the Battle of Ezra Church. On September 1, 1864, Confederate General John Bell Hood evacuated Atlanta after a four-month siege mounted by Union General William T. Sherman and ordered all public buildings and possible Confederate assets destroyed. The next day, Mayor James Calhoun surrendered the city, and on September 7 Sherman ordered the civilian population to evacuate. He then ordered Atlanta burned to the ground on November 11 in preparation for his march south, though spared the city's churches and hospitals.[20] Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders William T. Sherman, James B. McPherson, John M. Schofield, George H. Thomas Joseph E. Johnston; replaced in July by John B. Hood † Leonidas Polk Strength Military Division of the Mississippi (Army of the Cumberland, Army of the Ohio, Army of... Battle of Peachtree Creek Conflict American Civil War Date July 20, 1864 Place Fulton County, Georgia Result Union victory The Battle of Peachtree Creek was a battle of the American Civil War, fought in Georgia on July 20, 1864. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders William T. Sherman James B. McPherson† John B. Hood Strength Military Division of the Mississippi Army of Tennessee Casualties 3,641 8,499 The Battle of Atlanta was a battle of the Atlanta Campaign fought during the American Civil War... Battle of Ezra Church Conflict American Civil War Date July 28, 1864 Place Fulton County, Georgia Result Union victory The Battle of Ezra Church was fought on July 28, 1864, in Fulton County, Georgia, during the American Civil War. ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Motto Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God, Our Vindicator) Anthem (none official) God Save the South (unofficial) The Bonnie Blue Flag (unofficial) Dixie (unofficial)  States that seceded under CSA control  States and territories claimed by CSA without formal secession and/or control Capital Montgomery, Alabama (until May 29, 1861) Richmond, Virginia... John Bell Hood (June 1[1] or June 29,[2] 1831 – August 30, 1879) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. ... “General Sherman” redirects here. ... James M. Calhoun (February 12, 1811–October 1, 1875) was mayor of Atlanta, Georgia during the Civil War. ... is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...


The rebuilding of the city — immortalized by the phoenix and motto "Resurgens" (Latin for "rising again") on the city seal — was gradual. From 1867 until 1888, U.S. Army soldiers occupied McPherson Barracks in southwest Atlanta to ensure Reconstruction era era reforms. To help the newly freed slaves, the Federal Government set up a Freedmen's Bureau, which helped establish what is now Clark Atlanta University, one of several historically black colleges in Atlanta. For other mythic firebirds, see Fire bird (mythology). ... For other uses, see Latins and Latin (disambiguation). ... In the history of the United States, Reconstruction was the period after the American Civil War when the southern states of the breakaway Confederacy were reintegrated into the United States of America. ... A Bureau agent stands between an armed group of Southern whites and a group of freed slaves in this 1868 picture from Harpers Weekly On March 3, 1865, Congress established the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, also known as the Freedmens Bureau, was a federal agency that... Clark Atlanta University (CAU) is a private institution of higher education in Atlanta, Georgia. ...


In 1868, Atlanta became the fifth city to serve as the state capital.[21] Henry W. Grady, the editor of the Atlanta Constitution, promoted the city to investors as a city of the "New South", one built on a modern economy, less reliant on agriculture. In the 1880s Georgia School of Technology and Atlanta Hospital were founded.[22] Portrait of Henry Grady Henry Woodfin Grady (May 17, 1851 – December 23, 1889) was a journalist and orator who helped reintegrate the states of the former Confederacy into the Union after the American Civil War. ... The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the only major daily newspaper of Atlanta and metro Atlanta. ... Year 1880 (MDCCCLXXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech for short, is a public university in Atlanta, Georgia with over 16,000 students. ...

In 1907, Peachtree Street, the main street of Atlanta, was busy with streetcars and automobiles.
In 1907, Peachtree Street, the main street of Atlanta, was busy with streetcars and automobiles.

As Atlanta grew, ethnic and racial tensions mounted. The Atlanta Race Riot of 1906 left at least 27 dead[23] and over seventy injured. In 1913, Leo Frank, a Jewish supervisor at a factory in Atlanta was put on trial for raping and murdering a thirteen-year old white employee from a suburb of Atlanta, ultimately resulting in Frank's lynching. Peachtree St, Atlanta 1907 Library of Congress This image is in the public domain in the United States and possibly other jurisdictions. ... Peachtree St, Atlanta 1907 Library of Congress This image is in the public domain in the United States and possibly other jurisdictions. ... The Atlanta Race Riot of 1906 was a mass civil disturbance in Atlanta, Georgia, USA which began the evening of September 22nd and lasted until September 25th. ... For other persons named Leo Frank, see Leo Frank (disambiguation). ...


With the entry of the United States into World War II, soldiers from around the Southeastern United States went through Atlanta to train and later be discharged at Fort McPherson. War-related manufacturing such as the Bell Aircraft factory in the suburb of Marietta helped boost the city's population and economy. Shortly after the war, the Communicable Disease Center (CDC) was founded in Atlanta.[24] Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... The US Southeast is the eastern portion of the Southern United States, but the Census Bureau does not provide a standard definition of a Southeast region of the United States, and organizations that need to subdivide the US are free to define a Southeast region to fit their needs. ... Bell Aircraft Corporation assembly factory in Buffalo, New York, during the 1940s. ... Historic Downtown Marietta Marietta is a city located in central Cobb County, Georgia GR6, and is its county seat. ... The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, is recognized as the leading United States agency for protecting the public health and safety of people. ...


In the wake of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education, which helped usher in the Civil Rights Movement, racial tensions in Atlanta began to express themselves in acts of violence. On October 12, 1958, a Reform Jewish temple on Peachtree Street was bombed; the synagogue's rabbi, Jacob Rothschild, was an outspoken advocate of integration.[25] A group of anti-Semitic white supremacists calling themselves the "Confederate Underground" claimed responsibility. The Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C., (large image) The Supreme Court of the United States, located in Washington, D.C., is the highest court (see supreme court) in the United States; that is, it has ultimate judicial authority within the United States... Holding Segregation of students in public schools violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, because separate facilities are inherently unequal. ... Historically, the civil rights movement was a concentrated period of time around the world of approximately one generation (1960-1980) wherein there was much worldwide civil unrest and popular rebellion. ... is the 285th day of the year (286th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jan. ... In the early morning hours of October, 12, 1958, an explosion tore through the side wall of the Hebrew Benevolent Congregation, a Reform Jewish temple located on Peachtree Street in Atlanta, Georgia, known simply as the Temple. ...

Atlanta's Inman Park neighborhood was the city's first planned suburb. Today, it features several mansions and many colorful restored bungalows.
Atlanta's Inman Park neighborhood was the city's first planned suburb. Today, it features several mansions and many colorful restored bungalows.

In the 1960s, Atlanta was a major organizing center of the US Civil Rights Movement, with Dr. Martin Luther King and students from Atlanta's historically black colleges and universities playing major roles in the movement's leadership. Two of the most important civil rights organizations -- SCLC and SNCC -- had their national headquarters in Atlanta. In April of 1960 black students published "AN APPEAL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS" condemning segregation and laying the justification for direct action against it. A wave of sit-ins followed resulting in almost 100 arrests.[26] On October 19, 1960, sit-ins at the lunch counters of several Atlanta department stores led to the arrest of Dr. King and more than 50 students, drawing attention from the national media and from presidential candidate John F. Kennedy.[27] Sit-ins and other forms of student-led protests against various forms of segregation at both commercial and public venues such as the City Hall cafeteria and Atlanta airport continued until passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 450 pixelsFull resolution (1920 × 1080 pixel, file size: 880 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 450 pixelsFull resolution (1920 × 1080 pixel, file size: 880 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free... Inman Park is a neighborhood of the city of Atlanta, Georgia, its first planned suburb. ... A bungalow is any single story house. ... The civil rights movement in the United States has been a long, primarily nonviolent struggle to bring full civil rights and equality under the law to all citizens of United States. ... “Martin Luther King” redirects here. ... The Southern Christian Leadership Conference Logo. ... The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (or SNCC, pronounced snick) was one of the principal organizations of the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A sit-in or sit-down is a form of direct action that involves one or more persons nonviolently occupying an area for protest, often to promote political, social, or economic change. ... is the 292nd day of the year (293rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... John Kennedy and JFK redirect here. ... First page of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Pub. ...


Despite these incidents, Atlanta's political and business leaders labored to foster Atlanta's image as "the city too busy to hate". In 1961, Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. became one of the few Southern white mayors to support desegregation of Atlanta's public schools.[28] Ivan Jr. ...


In 1990, Atlanta was selected as the site for the Centennial Olympic Games 1996 Summer Olympics. Following the announcement, Atlanta undertook several major construction projects to improve the city's parks, sports facilities, and transportation. Atlanta became the third American city to host the Summer Olympics, after St. Louis and Los Angeles. The games themselves were marred by numerous organizational inefficiencies as well as the Centennial Olympic Park bombing.[29] The 1996 Summer h Olympics, formally known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and informally known as the Centennial Olympics, were held in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Missouri Coordinates: , Country State County Independent City Government  - Mayor Francis G. Slay (D) Area  - City  66. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... The Centennial Olympic Park bombing was a terrorist bombing on July 27, 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia during the 1996 Summer Olympics, the first of four committed by Eric Robert Rudolph. ...


Geography

Atlanta's Piedmont Park, with a blanket of winter snow.
Atlanta's Piedmont Park, with a blanket of winter snow.

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1412 KB) Summary A snowy winter scene in midtown Atlanta. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1412 KB) Summary A snowy winter scene in midtown Atlanta. ...

Topography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 343.0 km² (132 sq mi). 341.2 km² (132 sq mi) of it is land and 1.8 km² (1 sq mi) of it is water. The total area is 0.51% water. At about 1,050 feet (320 m) above mean sea level (the airport is 1,010 feet (308 m)), Atlanta sits atop a ridge south of the Chattahoochee River. Atlanta has the highest average elevation of any major city east of Denver. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title ) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... This article is about the use of the term in geography and physical geology. ... Map of the Apalachicola River system with the Chattahoochee highlighted. ... This article refers to the state capital of Colorado. ...


The Eastern Continental Divide line enters Atlanta from the south, proceeding to downtown. From downtown, the divide line runs eastward along DeKalb Avenue and the CSX rail lines through Decatur.[30] Rainwater that falls on the south and east side runs eventually into the Atlantic Ocean while rainwater on the north and west side of the divide runs into the Gulf of Mexico.[30] North American continental divides. ... Categories: Companies traded on NYSE | Railway companies of the United States | Alabama railroads | Connecticut railroads | Delaware railroads | Florida current railroads | Georgia railroads | Illinois railroads | Indiana railroads | Kentucky railroads | Louisiana railroads | Maryland railroads | Massachusetts railroads | Michigan railroads | Mississippi railroads | New Jersey railroads | New York railroads | North Carolina railroads | Ohio railroads | Pennsylvania... Gulf of Mexico in 3D perspective. ...


The latter is via the Chattahoochee River, part of the ACF River Basin, and from which Atlanta and many of its neighbors draw most of their water. Being at the far northwestern edge of the city, much of the river's natural habitat is still preserved, in part by the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Downstream however, excessive water use during droughts and pollution during floods has been a source of contention and legal battles with neighboring states Alabama and Florida.[31][32] Map of the Apalachicola River system with the Chattahoochee highlighted. ... The ACF River Basin refers to the watershed of the Apalachicola/Chattahoochee/Flint River Basin, in the USA, which begins in northern Georgia and flows into the Gulf of Mexico at Apalachicola Bay, near Apalachicola, Florida. ... Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area preserves a series of sites between Atlanta, Georgia and Lake Sidney Lanier along the Chattahoochee River. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ...


Climate

Atlanta has a humid subtropical climate, (Cfa) according to the Köppen classification, with hot, humid summers and mild to chilly winters by the standards of the United States. July highs average 88 °F (31 °C) or above, and low average 67 °F (19 °C).[33] Infrequently, temperatures can even exceed 100 °F (38 °C). The highest temperature recorded in the city is 105 °F (41 °C), reached in July, 1980.[33] January is the coldest month, with an average high of 50 °F (10 °C), and low of 29 °F (−2 °C).[33] Warm fronts can bring springlike temperatures in the 60s and 70s in winter, and Arctic air masses can drop temperatures into the teens as well. The coldest temperature ever recorded was −9 °F (−23 °C) in February, 1899.[33] A close second was −8 °F (−22 °C), reached in January, 1985.[33] The humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and chilly to mild winters. ... Updated Köppen-Geiger climate map[1] The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1899 (MDCCCXCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday [1] of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... This article is about the year. ...


Like the rest of the southeastern U.S., Atlanta receives abundant rainfall, which is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year. Average annual rainfall is 50.2 inches (1,275 mm).[34] An average year sees frost on 36 days; snowfall averages about 2 inches (5 cm) annually. The heaviest single storm brought 10 inches (25 cm) on January 23, 1940.[35] Frequent ice storms can cause more problems than snow; the most severe such storm may have occurred on January 7, 1973.[36] is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ice storm could refer to: A type of winter storm characterized by freezing rain. ... is the 7th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ...

Weather averages for Atlanta, Georgia
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Record high °F (°C) 79 (26) 80 (27) 89 (32) 93 (34) 97 (36) 102 (39) 105 (41) 102 (39) 102 (39) 95 (35) 84 (29) 79 (26)
Average high °F (°C) 52 (11) 57 (14) 65 (18) 73 (23) 80 (27) 87 (31) 89 (32) 88 (31) 82 (28) 73 (23) 63 (17) 55 (13)
Average low °F (°C) 33 (1) 37 (3) 44 (7) 50 (10) 59 (15) 67 (19) 71 (22) 70 (21) 64 (18) 53 (12) 44 (7) 36 (2)
Record low °F (°C) -8 (-22) -9 (-23) 10 (-12) 25 (-4) 37 (3) 39 (4) 53 (12) 55 (13) 36 (2) 28 (-2) 3 (-16) 0 (-18)
Precipitation inches (mm) 5.03 (127.8) 4.68 (118.9) 5.38 (136.7) 3.62 (91.9) 3.95 (100.3) 3.63 (92.2) 5.12 (130) 3.67 (93.2) 4.09 (103.9) 3.11 (79) 4.10 (104.1) 3.82 (97)
Source: The Weather Channel[33] 2008-03-23

In 2007, the American Lung Association ranked Atlanta as having the 13th highest level of particle pollution in the United States[37] The combination of pollution and pollen levels, and uninsured citizens caused the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America to name Atlanta as the worst American city for asthma sufferers to live in.[38]


2008 Atlanta tornado

Street level tornado track Map of the 2008 Atlanta Tornado (NWS Peachtree City, GA)
Street level tornado track Map of the 2008 Atlanta Tornado (NWS Peachtree City, GA)

On March 14, 2008, at approximately 9:40 PM Eastern Daylight Time, a category EF2 tornado hit downtown Atlanta with winds up to 135 miles per hour. The tornado caused damage to Philips Arena, the Georgia Dome, Centennial Olympic Park, the CNN Center and the Georgia World Congress Center. The tornado also damaged the nearby neighborhoods of Vine City to the west and Cabbagetown and the Fulton Bag and Cotton Mills to the east. While there were dozens of injuries, only one fatality was reported.[39] City officials warned it could take months to clear the devastation left by the tornado.[40] is the 73rd day of the year (74th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... Eastern Standard Time redirects here. ... The Enhanced Fujita Scale, or EF Scale, is the scale for rating the strength of tornadoes in the United States estimated via the damage they cause. ... This article is about the weather phenomenon. ... For the stadium of PSV Eindhoven, see Philips Stadion. ... The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia that is owned and operated by The State of Georgia who operates The Dome, The Georgia World Congress Center, and Centennial Olympic Park. ... Fountain of Rings Centennial Olympic Park is a 21 acre (85,000 m²) public park located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. ... The CNN Center is the world headquarters of the Cable News Network (CNN). ... The Georgia World Congress Center or GWCC is the major convention center in Atlanta, run by the state of Georgia. ... Cabbagetown is a neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia located south of Inman Park, east of Oakland Cemetery, north of Grant Park and west of Reynoldstown. ...


Cityscape

Panoramic view of the central Atlanta skyline, spanning Midtown (left) and Downtown (right).
View of Metro-Atlanta from an aircraft, 03-2008.
View of Metro-Atlanta from an aircraft, 03-2008.
Midtown Atlanta at night, with Buckhead and Sandy Springs visible in the distance.
Midtown Atlanta at night, with Buckhead and Sandy Springs visible in the distance.
See also: List of Atlanta neighborhoods

Atlanta's skyline is punctuated with highrise and midrise buildings of modern and postmodern vintage. Its tallest landmark – the Bank of America Plaza – is the 29th-tallest building in the world at 1,023 feet (312 m). It is also the tallest building in the United States outside of Chicago and New York City.[41] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (5940x600, 614 KB) Summary Jim Bean. ... For other uses, see Skyline (disambiguation). ... Midtown Atlanta is a district in Atlanta, Georgia situated between the commercial and financial district of downtown to the south and the affluent residential, shopping, and nightlife district of Buckhead to the north. ... Downtown Atlanta refers to the largest financial district for the city of Atlanta. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2816 × 2112 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2816 × 2112 pixel, file size: 2. ... Midtown Atlanta is a district in Atlanta, Georgia situated between the commercial and financial district of downtown to the south and the affluent residential, shopping, and nightlife district of Buckhead to the north. ... Downtown Atlanta refers to the largest financial district for the city of Atlanta. ... Midtown Atlanta is a district in Atlanta, Georgia situated between the commercial and financial district of downtown to the south and the affluent residential, shopping, and nightlife district of Buckhead to the north. ... Buckhead is a community within the city of Atlanta, comprising over 100,000 residents, forming approximately the northern one-fifth of Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Buckhead is legally defined as that portion of the city of Atlanta northwest of I-85 and northeast of I-75. ... Sandy Springs (once known as Hammond) is an unincorporated city located in Fulton County, Georgia, north of Atlanta and south of Roswell. ... This is the list of Atlanta neighborhoods Adamsville (38) Adams Park (35) Adair Park (13) Ansley Park (17) Atlantic Station (16) Bankhead (14) Ben Hill (37) Berkeley Park (15) Boulevard Brookhaven Brookwood Hills Buckhead (18) Cabbagetown (26) Candler Park (24) Capitol View (inside 34) Capitol View Manor (inside 34) Cascade... This article is about the Bank of America Plaza in Atlanta. ... Taipei 101, the worlds tallest completed building, is located in Taipei City, Taiwan These are lists of skyscrapers, ranked by: structural height (vertical elevation from the base to the highest architectural or integral structural element of the building). ... For other uses, see Chicago (disambiguation). ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ...


The city's highrises are clustered in three districts in the city—Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead.[42] (there are two more major suburban clusters, Perimeter Center to the north and Cumberland/Vinings to the northwest). The central business district, clustered around the Hyatt Regency Atlanta hotel – the tallest building in Atlanta at the time of its completion in 1967 – also includes the newer 191 Peachtree Tower, Westin Peachtree Plaza, SunTrust Plaza, Georgia-Pacific Tower, and the buildings of Peachtree Center. Midtown Atlanta, farther north, developed rapidly after the completion of One Atlantic Center in 1987. Perimeter Center is a major edge city within metro Atlanta. ... Cumberlands Skyline Cumberland (also known as Cumberland-Galleria and Cobb-Galleria) is an edge city of Atlanta, Georgia with approximately 122,000 workers and 103,000 residents, and is a major hub for business, convention and retail in the region. ... Vinings is a census-designated place and an unincorporated town located in Cobb County, Georgia, just across the Chattahoochee River from Atlanta. ... 191 Peachtree Tower (more commonly called just Peachtree Tower) is the fourth tallest skyscraper in Atlanta. ... The Westin Peachtree Plaza is a skyscraper building in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. ... SunTrust Plaza (originally known as One Peachtree Center) is a skyscraper in downtown Atlanta. ... Georgia_Pacific_Building The Georgia-Pacific Tower is a 212-meter (695-foot) tall skyscraper in downtown Atlanta. ... Peachtree Center is a 13 block area located in the central business district of Atlanta, Georgia. ... Midtown Atlanta is a district in Atlanta, Georgia situated between the commercial and financial district of downtown to the south and the affluent residential, shopping, and nightlife district of Buckhead to the north. ... One Atlantic Center as seen from the south One Atlantic Center, also known as the IBM Tower, is a skyscraper located in Midtown Atlanta. ...


The influx of business to Midtown has continued[43] – the district's newest tower, 1180 Peachtree, opened in 2006 at a height of 645 feet (197 m), and achieved a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification that year from the U.S. Green Building Council. Atlanta has been in the midst of a construction and retail boom, with over 60 new highrise or midrise buildings either proposed or under construction as of April 19, 2006.[2] October 2005 marked the opening of Atlantic Station, a former brownfield steel plant site redeveloped into a mixed-use urban district. In early 2006, Mayor Franklin set in motion a plan to make the 14-block stretch of Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta (nicknamed "Midtown Mile") a street-level shopping destination envisioned to rival Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive or Chicago's Magnificent Mile.[44][45] 1180 Peachtree, commonly known as the Symphony Tower, is a 41-story skyscraper located at 1180 Peachtree Street in the Midtown district of Atlanta, Georgia, United States. ... Part of the old steel mill serves as a statue in central park This article describes a recently developed mixed-use neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia. ... In town planning, brownfield land is an area of land previously used or built upon, as opposed to industry or mining and therefore may be contaminated by hazardous waste or pollution. ... Peachtree and 10th at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Peachtree Street is the main north-south street of Atlanta, Georgia. ... Rodeo Drive sign Rodeo Drive (pronounced Spanish: ro-DAY-oh) generally refers to a famous three-block long stretch of boutiques and shops in Beverly Hills, California, United States, although the street stretches further north and south. ... Magnificent Mile looking south View north from the foot of the Magnificent Mile The Magnificent Mile is the portion of Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois extending from the Chicago River to Oak Street in Near North Side community area. ...


In spite of civic efforts such as the opening of Centennial Olympic Park in downtown in 1996, Atlanta ranks near last in area of park land per capita among cities of similar population density, with 8.9 acres per thousand residents (36 m²/resident) in 2005.[46] The city has a reputation, however, as a "city of trees" or a "city in a forest";[47][48] beyond the central Atlanta and Buckhead business districts, the skyline gives way to a sometimes dense canopy of woods that spreads into the suburbs. Founded in 1985, Trees Atlanta has planted and distributed over 68,000 shade trees.[49] Fountain of Rings Centennial Olympic Park is a 21 acre (85,000 m²) public park located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. ... Trees Atlanta is a non-profit organization in Atlanta which seeks to protect and restore trees to the city. ...


The city's northern section, Buckhead, is consistently ranked as one of the most affluent communities in the United States.[50] Since the opening of the intown segment of the Georgia 400 tollway, which linked the district to the city superhighway system in 1993, Buckhead has developed a dense commercial district, clustered around the high-end retail centers at Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza and including a growing number of office buildings and residential highrises, some in the 40+ story range. The Mansion on Peachtree, a 42 Story Luxury Hotel and Condominium tower will open in Early 2008 and the 50 story 3344 Peachtree/Sovereign, planned to reach 660 feet (201 m), is due for completion in late 2007.[51] Buckhead is a community within the city of Atlanta, comprising over 100,000 residents, forming approximately the northern one-fifth of Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Buckhead is legally defined as that portion of the city of Atlanta northwest of I-85 and northeast of I-75. ... A toll road, turnpike or tollpike is a road on which a toll authority collects a fee for use. ... Aerial view of Lenox Square with JW Marriott Hotel in background. ... Phipps Plaza, owned by Simon Property Group, is an 821,000 square foot (76,000 m²) mall in Buckhead, Atlanta and Lenox Squares upscale sister. ...


The edge cities clustered around Perimeter Mall and Cumberland Mall have distinct skylines of their own. The Concourse at Landmark Center, located near Perimeter Mall in Sandy Springs, includes a pair of buildings called the King and Queen that each measure 570 feet (174 m) in total height. Perimeter Mall is a major shopping mall in Atlanta that opened in 1971. ... Cumberland Mall, located in the Cumberland district of Atlanta near the suburbs of Smyrna and Vinings, opened on August 8, 1973 and was the largest mall in the country when it first opened. ... Built in phases between 1984 and 1991, the Concourse is a real estate development in Metro Atlantas Perimeter business district (in the city of Sandy Springs, Georgia). ...


Architecture

The Architecture of Atlanta has seen works by most major U.S. firms and some of the more prominent architects of the 20th century, including Michael Graves, Richard Meier, Renzo Piano, and soon, Santiago Calatrava and David Chipperfield. Atlanta's most notable hometown architect may be John Portman whose creation of the atrium hotel beginning with the Hyatt Regency Atlanta (1967) made a significant mark on the hospitality sector. A graduate of Georgia Tech's College of Architecture, Portman's work reshaped downtown Atlanta with his designs for the Atlanta Merchandise Mart, Peachtree Center, the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel, and SunTrust Plaza. The Architecture of Atlanta, though not as distinquished as that of cities such as Chicago and New York, has seen works by most major U.S. firms and some of the more prominent architects of the 20th century, including Michael Graves, Richard Meier, and soon, Santiago Calatrava. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... -1... Richard Meier (born October 12, 1934 in Newark, New Jersey) is a late twentieth century American architect known for his use of the purist white. ... The Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church in San Giovanni Rotondo. ... Santiago Calatrava Valls (born July 28, 1951) is an internationally recognized and award-winning Spanish architect and structural engineer whose principal office is in Zurich, Switzerland. ... David Chipperfield (b. ... John C. Portman, Jr. ... View of the Atrium from the 20th floor View of the Hyatt from the Marriott Marquis View of the Hyatt from the Westin Peachtree Plaza The Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, Georgia was constructed in 1967. ... The Georgia Institute of Technology, commonly known as Georgia Tech, is a public, coeducational research university, part of the University System of Georgia, and located in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, with satellite campuses in Savannah, Georgia, Metz, France, Shanghai, China, and Singapore. ... The College of Architecture (COA) at the Georgia Institute of Technology was established in 1908 as the Department of Architecture, offering the first four-year course of study in architecture in the Southern United States. ... Peachtree Center is a 13 block area located in the central business district of Atlanta, Georgia. ... The Westin Peachtree Plaza is an impressive skyscraper 220 meters (722 feet) tall, and contains 73 stories of hotel rooms. ... SunTrust Plaza (originally known as One Peachtree Center) is a skyscraper in downtown Atlanta. ...


Culture