Alabama

{|border=0 width="100%"\n|align=left width="50%"|\nAlternate meanings: see Alabama (disambiguation)\n|align=right width="50%"|\nCategory:Political divisions of the United States\n|}\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Alabama

\n\n\n\n\n\n (In Detail) (Full size)
State motto: We Dare Defend Our Rights
\n Other U.S. States
Capital >Montgomery
Largest City	\nBirmingham
Governor	\nRobert Riley
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water  - % water	Ranked 30th 135,765 km² 131,426 km² 4,338 km² 3.20%
Population  - Total (2000)  - Density	Ranked 23rd 4,447,100 34/km²\n
Admittance into Union  - Order\n  - Date	22nd December 14, 1819\n
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5
\nLatitude\n Longitude \n	\n30°13'N to 35°N\n 84°51'W to 88°28'W\n
\nWidth\n Length\n Elevation\n  - Highest\n  - Mean\n  - Lowest\n	\n306 km\n 531 km\n  \n 734 meters \n 152 meters\n 0 meters\n
ISO 3166-2:	US-AL

Alabama is a southern state located in the southern United States; the population of Alabama is 4,447,100 as of 2000. USS Alabama was named in honor of this state.

Table of contents

1 History 2 Law and Government 3 Geography 4 Economy 5 Demographics 6 Important cities and towns 7 Education 8 Professional sports teams 9 Culture and Interests 10 Notes 11 External links

History

\nMain article: History of Alabama Among Native American people once living in present Alabama were Alabama (Alibamu), Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Koasati, and Mobile. Alabama was once a region claimed by the Spaniards as part of Florida. The English also claimed it as part of the province of Carolina. Nevertheless, when the French took over Louisiana they also took over the territory including Alabama. Later when the United States acquired the Louisiana Purchase and the Mississippi Territory, there was much controversy as to whether or not Alabama was included. Nevertheless, Alabama became the 22nd state in 1819. The state of Alabama seceded from the Union and became a Confederate state on January 11, 1861. While not many battles were fought in the state, it contributed about 120,000 soldiers to the Civil War. After the war a provisional government was set up in 1865 and Alabama was readmitted to the Union in June 1868.

Law and Government

\nMain article: Law and Government of Alabama The current governor of the state is Bob Riley and the two U.S. senators are Jeff Sessions and Richard C. Shelby (all three from the Republican Party). See also: List of Alabama Governors

Geography

\nMain article: Geography of Alabama Alabama is the 30^th largest state in the United States with 135,765 km² (52,419 mi²) of total area. 3.2% of that is water, making Alabama 23^rd in the amount of surface water. About three-fifths of the land area is a gentle plain with a general incline towards the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. Alabama generally ranges in elevation from sea level at Mobile Bay, to a little more than 1800 feet or 550 meters near the Georgia state line. The highest point is Mount Cheaha (pronounced like "chee-haw") at 2704 feet or 734 meters. See also: List of Alabama counties

Economy

\nThe 1999 total gross state product was $115 billion placing Alabama 25^th in the nation. The Per Capita Income for the state was $23,471 in 2000. Alabama's agricultural outputs are poultry and eggs, cattle, nursery stock, peanuts, cotton, vegetables, milk, and soybeans. Its industrial outputs are paper, lumber and wood products, mining, rubber and plastic products, transportation equipment and apparel. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Heart of Dixie¹
State Bird:	Yellowhammer
State Capital:	Montgomery
State Flower:	Camellia
State Song:	"Alabama"
State Tree:	Southern Pine\n
State Spirit:	Conecuh Ridge Fine Alabama Whiskey\n

Demographics

\n

Important cities and towns

\nMain article: List of cities in Alabama\n

\n* Birmingham\n** Hoover\n** Bessemer\n** Homewood\n** Vestavia Hills\n** Center Point\n** Alabaster\n** Mountain Brook\n** Hueytown\n** Pelham\n** Trussville\n** Fairfield\n** Gardendale\n** Forestdale\n** Helena Mobile\n** Prichard\n** Tillmans Corner\n** Saraland Huntsville\n** Madison Montgomery Tuscaloosa\n** Northport Columbus, Georgia\n** Phenix City\n** Smiths Station

\n* Anniston\n** Oxford\n** Saks\n* Florence\n** Muscle Shoals\n* Gadsden\n* Dothan\n* Auburn\n** Opelika\n* Decatur\n* Enterprise\n** Ozark\n* Daphne\n** Fairhope\n* Prattville\n** Millbrook\n* Albertville\n* Selma\n* Valley\n** Lanett\n* Athens\n* Cullman\n* Talladega\n* Sylacauga\n* Jasper\n* Tuskegee\n* Troy\n* Leeds\n* Hartselle\n* Scottsboro\n* Alexander City\n* Eufaula\n* Fort Payne

Education

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Colleges and universities

\n

\n*Air University\n*Alabama A&M University\n*Alabama State University\n*Athens State University\n*Auburn University\n*Auburn University at Montgomery\n*Birmingham-Southern College\n*Concordia College-Selma\n*Faulkner University\n*Huntingdon College\n*Jacksonville State University\n*Judson College\n*Miles College\n*Oakwood College\n*Samford University\n*Southeastern Bible College\n*Southern Christian University\n

\n*Spring Hill College\n*Stillman College\n*Talladega College\n*Troy State University\n**Troy State University at Dothan\n**Troy State University at Montgomery\n*Tuskegee University\n*United States Sports Academy\n*University of Alabama System\n**University of Alabama\n**University of Alabama at Birmingham\n**University of Alabama in Huntsville\n*University of Mobile\n*University of Montevallo\n*University of North Alabama\n*University of South Alabama\n*University of West Alabama\n

Professional sports teams

\n\n*Minor League baseball teams\n**Birmingham Barons\n**Birmingham Steeldogs\n**Huntsville Stars\n**Mobile BayBears\n**Montgomery Biscuits\n \n

Culture and Interests

\n\n*Famous Alabamians\n*Music of Alabama\n

Notes

\n¹ The phrase The Heart of Dixie is required by state law to be included on all state license plates.

External links

\n*The Official Website of the State of Alabama \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n