Alabama - The Heart of Dixie
Capital: Montgomery | Abbreviation: AL | Region: Southeast
Quick Facts
| Population | 5,074,296 |
| Area | 52,420 sq mi (135,767 km²) |
| Population Rank | 24th |
| Area Rank | 30th |
| Capital | Montgomery |
| Largest City | Huntsville |
| Statehood | December 14, 1819 (22nd state) |
| Time Zone | Central (UTC-6 / UTC-5) |
Interactive Map
🔴 Montgomery (Capital) | Interactive map showing major cities
About Alabama
Alabama, officially the State of Alabama, is located in the Southeast region of the United States. With over 5 million residents, it is known for its pivotal role in the civil rights movement, rich Native American heritage, and strong college football tradition. The state capital is Montgomery, while Huntsville is the most populous city.
Alabama's diverse geography includes the Appalachian Mountains in the north, Black Belt prairie in the center, and the Gulf Coast beaches in the south. The state has a humid subtropical climate and is known for its aerospace industry, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Geography & Climate
Alabama features diverse landscapes including the Appalachian foothills, central plains, and Gulf Coast shoreline. The climate is humid subtropical with hot summers and mild winters. Major geographic features include:
- Gulf of Mexico coastline: 53 miles
- Highest point: Cheaha Mountain (2,407 ft)
- Major rivers: Alabama, Tombigbee, Tennessee
- Mobile Bay: One of the largest estuaries in the US
Major Cities
Huntsville
Population: 215,006
Metro Area: 491,723
NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, aerospace hub
Birmingham
Population: 200,733
Metro Area: 1.1 million
Historic steel city, medical center, civil rights history
Montgomery
Population: 200,603
Metro Area: 373,290
State capital, birthplace of civil rights movement
Mobile
Population: 187,041
Metro Area: 430,197
Port city, shipbuilding, historic downtown
Tuscaloosa
Population: 99,600
Home to University of Alabama, industrial center
Counties
Alabama has 67 counties. Major counties include:
Pop: 658,573
Pop: 414,732
Pop: 388,153
Pop: 226,486
Pop: 223,024
Pop: 227,036
Pop: 231,767
Pop: 174,241
Interesting Facts
- Montgomery served as the first capital of the Confederate States during the Civil War
- The civil rights movement had major milestones in Alabama, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Selma to Montgomery marches
- Huntsville is known as "Rocket City" and houses NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center
- Alabama has one of the longest navigable inland waterways in the nation
- The state is home to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, the largest space museum in the world
- College football is deeply rooted in Alabama culture, with fierce rivalries between Auburn and Alabama universities
- The Mardi Gras celebration in Mobile is older than the one in New Orleans
Neighboring States
Also borders: Gulf of Mexico (south)
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