Moss draped oaks, spacious azalea gardens, searing hot summer temperatures, and peaches. Georgia has no short supply of interesting destinations for vacationers. Many people preferring the ocean beaches or inland mountains in the summer to escape the heat and enjoy the refreshing breezes of the Atlantic or the cool winds of the Northern Appalachians. Areas containing not only milder weather but a wealth of natural beauty and charm. A large percentage of Georgia is covered with hardwoods and pine trees. It is the nation's fourth largest timber producer. Only Oregon, Washington, and California produce more timber.

In addition to its vast forests are Georgia's acres of peanuts and pecans. Georgia ranks first in the production of both these crops. Producing half of all the peanuts and a third of all the pecans grown in the United States. Georgia is also second in poultry production behind Arkansas. Cotton helps fuel the state's large textile industry and Georgia rank's third in tobacco. Together with North Carolina and Kentucky, these three states produce 70% of all the tobacco in the United States.

European exploration of Georgia began with Hernando de Soto in 1540. The first exploration by Europeans after Columbus discovered America. But the gold he sought would take another 300 years to finally be uncovered near Dahlonega in 1828. Beginning America's first gold rush. A visit to the Dahlonega Gold Museum relives this unique moment in history when millions of dollars of gold were mined nearby and minted at the U.S. Mint in Dahlonega.

Georgia's veins of gold and iron that were mined extensively throughout the 19th century are largely exhausted. Its mining operations shifting to the production of granite and kaolin. Georgia leads the nation in production of these two minerals. Kaolin is a clay used in paper manufacturing. The Elberton district in Northeastern Georgia is the center for granite mining. Stone Mountain is a good example of some of this granite.

Like its neighbor Alabama, Georgia is also noted for its involvement in the American Revolution and Civil War. A long history that begins with the first permanent European settlement in Georgia at Savannah. Established by British General James Oglethorpe who landed here in 1733. Savannah is a veteran of the many battles between Spain and France. Both vying for dominance of this New World. A legacy of wartime conflicts that continued almost unabated with different victors until the end of the Revolutionary War when America won its independence.

Georgia's losses from the American Revolution could not compare however to the devastation suffered during America's Civil War. The Union Army destroying most of the majestic plantations as well as farmhouses and railways as they marched through the South in 1864. Burning Atlanta and destroying 260 miles of Central Georgia on their way from Atlanta to the Savannah Coast.

The reconstruction of Atlanta is one of America's greatest successes. Presently one of the nation's largest and fastest growing cities containing half the state's residents. Its grand Antebellum mansions, moss draped oaks, and flowering gardens of azaleas spurring tourism which is one of Georgia's top five industries. Visitors spending $9 billion annually in Georgia. Its outdoor recreational opportunities include Georgia's 59 State Parks (41 with camping facilities), 2 National Forests (Chattahoochee and Oconee), and the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. , Dahlonega Gold Museum, Box 2042, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533 (706) 864 2257. http://ngeorgia.com/parks/dahlonega.html