The Alabama landscape has many different faces. From the white sand beaches touching the Gulf of Mexico to the mountain peaks in the northern part of the state, Alabama represents outdoor adventure and excitement. The state has much to offer its residents: natural beauty, a strong arts culture and a rich history. Alabama’s complexity has earned it several nicknames, including The Heart of Dixie, the cotton state and the yellowhammer state.
      Alabama is located in the southeastern region of the U.S., bordered by Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia. More than 60 percent of Alabama is either forestlands or rivers. Statewide, the landscape and climate can be described in terms of five regions: the East Gulf Coastal Plain, the Piedmont Upland, the Appalachian Ridge and Valley, the Appalachian Plateau and the Highland Rim.
      The East Gulf Coastal Plain covers two-thirds of the state and is the most diverse of the Alabama regions. Low, swampy areas, pine forests, hilly areas and the agriculturally significant Black Belt Prairie are all part of the Coastal Plain.

Did You Know...

State Nickname: The Heart of Dixie State Capital: Montgomery State Flower: Camellia State Bird: Yellowhammer

      The Piedmont Upland region is characterized by rugged terrain. Alabama’s highest point, the 2,407-foot peak of Cheaha Mountain, rises sharply above the low hills of the Piedmont. Cheaha Mountain is within the Talladega National Forest.
      The northeast corner of Alabama contains the Appalachian Ridge and Valley, the Appalachian Plateau and the Highland Rim. As a whole, the region is characterized by elevation changes as well as fertile mining and farming areas.
      With its complex landscape, Alabama affords the opportunity for many outdoor adventures, including hiking, camping, kayaking, bicycling, horseback riding, hunting and fishing. Eight national parks and dozens of rivers provide thousands of acres to explore. Points of interest, including the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, Tuskegee Airmen and Tuskegee Institute National Historic Sites, each offers the visitor a distinct perspective on Alabama’s history and natural environment.
      Alabama’s rich history, particularly in relation to the

Civil Rights Movement, is a strong part of the culture today. The city of Montgomery, for example, has many landmark sites that celebrate the Civil Rights Movement, including Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, The Civil Rights Memorial Center and Rosa Parks Museum. The cities of Birmingham, Selma and Tuskegee also contain historically significant sites relating to this era in history.
      Alabama’s population is currently estimated to be about 4.5 million, a 2.5 percent increase since 2000. Residents under the age of 18 represent about 18 percent of the state’s population, while those 65-years-old and over make up about 13 percent. The resident base is about 71 percent white and 26 percent black, with the remainder being of Asian, Hawaiian or Hispanic descent. Three-quarters of residents have received a high school diploma and 19 percent have obtained at least a bachelor’s degree.
      Average income in Alabama is slightly below the U.S. average. Specifically, the per capita income is $18,538 and the median household income is $34,100. Employment is concentrated in the manufacturing and government sectors, followed by real estate, retail trade and healthcare. Most of the workforce is employed in an office or administrative support capacity, production-related function or sales occupation. Some of the largest employers in the state are Artistic Solar Films in Birmingham, University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB), Auburn University, Russell Corporation in Alexander City and UAB Hospital in Birmingham.
      There are approximately 1.9 million housing units in Alabama, and more than two-thirds of these are detached, single-family homes. As of May, 2006, the state’s average home price was $160,720, which is a record high. About 70 percent of all housing units statewide were built between 1940 and 1989.
      The educational opportunities in Alabama are extensive. There are more than 10 public university campuses, including three within the University of Alabama system and two within the Auburn University System. University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is well-recognized for its medical research achievements and facilities. Notably, UAB is ranked third in the Southeastern U.S. for National Institutes of Health research funding. Alabama’s community college system is strong as well, with more than 20 campuses operating throughout the state.
      The primary airports are Birmingham International Airport (BHM), Dothan Regional Airport (DHN), Huntsville International Airport (HSV), Mobile Regional Airport (MOB), Muscle Shoals Northwest Alabama Regional (MSL) and Tuscaloosa Municipal Airport (TCL). The largest public transportation system in the state is the Metro Area Express, known as MAX, operated by the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority. The MAX system incorporates 40 routes connecting local and regional locations. In addition, there are smaller transportation systems managed by other county-based organizations.