Alabama
Yellowhammer State · Capital: Montgomery · South (Deep South)
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Bordering states: Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi.
About Alabama
Alabama lies in the Deep South between Mississippi and Georgia, with Tennessee to the north and Florida and about 53 miles of Gulf coastline to the south. The Fall Line, running from Phenix City to Tuscaloosa, divides old, folded rock in the northeast from the coastal plain that covers about the southern two thirds of the state. Across the middle runs the Black Belt, a crescent of dark clay weathered from the Selma Chalk. The Appalachians end here, and Cheaha Mountain, at 2,408 feet, is the highest point. About three quarters of the state drains to Mobile Bay, and Alabama has more species of freshwater fish, mussels, snails, crayfish and turtles than any other state. Precipitation averages around 58 inches a year.
Mississippian farmers built Moundville on the Black Warrior River around 1120, and the French founded Mobile in 1702. After Andrew Jackson defeated the Red Stick Muscogee at Horseshoe Bend in 1814, the Treaty of Fort Jackson took about 23 million acres, and cotton planters moved onto the Black Belt. Alabama became the 22nd state on December 14, 1819. In February 1861 Jefferson Davis was sworn in as Confederate president in Montgomery. Birmingham, laid out in 1871, grew on local coal and iron ore. The Montgomery bus boycott began on December 1, 1955, and the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march preceded the Voting Rights Act.
The 2020 census counted 5,024,279 Alabamians, up 5.1% from 2010, which gives the state seven House seats. Montgomery has been the capital since 1846, but Huntsville, where Marshall Space Flight Center designed the Saturn V, is now the largest city. The official nickname, the Yellowhammer State, comes from an 1861 cavalry company with yellow-trimmed uniforms. Natives include Helen Keller of Tuscumbia, Rosa Parks of Tuskegee and Hank Aaron of Mobile.
4 fun facts about Alabama
- The Saturn V rocket that took Apollo 11 to the Moon was designed in Huntsville, nicknamed "Rocket City".
- The civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 directly led to the Voting Rights Act later that year.
- Mobile held Mardi Gras celebrations in 1703, before New Orleans even existed.
- Helen Keller, born in Tuscumbia, grasped her first word, "water", when Anne Sullivan spelled it into her hand at the family pump.
More about Alabama
Frequently asked questions about Alabama
Is Alabama a US state?
Yes, Alabama is one of the 50 US states. It was admitted to the Union in 1819, making it the 22nd state. Its capital is Montgomery and its largest city is Huntsville.
What is the capital of Alabama?
The capital of Alabama is Montgomery. Note that the largest city in Alabama is Huntsville, not the capital, a common point of confusion.
When did Alabama become a state?
Alabama became a US state in 1819. It is the 22nd state admitted to the Union.
What is the abbreviation for Alabama?
The 2-letter USPS abbreviation for Alabama is AL.
How big is Alabama?
Alabama ranks #30 of 50 US states by area. With 99.2 residents per square mile in 2020, it was the 27th most densely populated state.
What is the population of Alabama?
Alabama had 5,024,279 residents at the 2020 census, the 24th largest population of the 50 states, up 5.1% since 2010. That count gives it 7 seats in the US House of Representatives.
What region is Alabama in?
Alabama is in the South region of the United States, per the US Census Bureau.
What time zone is Alabama in?
Alabama observes Central Time.
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How to learn the 50 states (full guide)
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