The A-Z Of Alabama Facts A Must Read Guide For You!

Alabama was the 22nd state to join the United States of America in the year 1819.

It is bordered by Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Georgia and is recognized as the 30th largest state in the U.S. This state is popular for its peanuts, natural resources of iron and steel, and the burgeoning industries of chemicals, automotive, information technology, aerospace, and forestry.

Also, it is known for its sports, especially football. There is a massive craze with the never-ending rivalry of the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Montgomery is the capital city of Alabama.

Apart from Montgomery, the other largest cities in Alabama are Birmingham and Huntsville. The state is given several nicknames including the 'Cotton State,' the 'Yellowhammer State,' and 'Heart of Dixie.'

However, no official nickname for the state is designated yet. The confederate flag was flown for the first time in 1861. Much before the French colonists arrived, the Spanish were the first to reach Alabama and settle here in the year 1540.

Montgomery, Alabama History Facts

Montgomery comes with significant historical events. It formed an important crossroad network between the well-established trading centers of Native Americans, even before the establishment of the state of Alabama. In fact, it is the birthplace of all American Confederate States.

In the years 1817 and 1818, the formation of the town of Montgomery took place along the banks of the Alabama River. The town was named after the American Revolutionary hero, Gen. Richard Montgomery.

This city was also elected as the county state in 1822. Much later in the year 1865, after the Battle of Selma, Montgomery was captured by Major General James H. Wilson for the Union.

Montgomery was the first city in the entire United States to introduce electric streetcars in the year 1886.

After World War 2, African Americans, who settled in Montgomery in large numbers and underwent slave labor, were perhaps the main ignitors of the Civil Rights Movement.

On December 1, 1955, the city witnessed the arrest of an American civil rights activist, Rosa Parks, because she refused to give up her bus seat to a white man, thus resulting in the initiation of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Maya Lin created the Civil Rights Memorial in this city, which includes the names of the 41 martyrs of the Civil War, inscribed on a granite fountain.

Birmingham, Alabama History Facts

Birmingham, the largest city of Alabama, hosts a population of a million people. Iron and steel industries started and expanded massively in this city. It also hosts the largest number of employees in the health care industry.

It became the most significant center of the United States in the 1960s due to its role in the American Civil Rights Movement. This city is also known for its greenery, which allows the best hiking and biking experience. Birmingham is popularly known as the 'Magic City' or the 'Steel City.'

What is the geography of Alabama?

Alabama covers a surface area of about 52,419 sq. mi (135,765 sq. km). Its lowest point is the Gulf Coast of Mexico at sea level and the highest point is Cheaha Mountain. A huge range of restaurants, a chain of hotels, and other attractions are offered near Cheaha Mountain. A total of 67 counties are present here.

Some of the famous locations of Alabama include USS Alabama (BB-60), the Vulcan Statue, U.S. Space and Rocket Center, and Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The first territorial capital of Alabama was Old Saint Stephens in the years 1817 and 1819.

Maycomb, Alabama Facts

The fictional town of Maycomb in Alabama is the greatest attraction that represents the birthplace and childhood home of Lee in Monroeville, described in 'To Kill A Mockingbird.'

Maycomb was described as an old and suffocating town full of dull habitants.

Alabama Power Facts

Alabama Legislature composes the House of Representatives and Senate, both of which serve a four-year term. Alabama Legislature was founded in the year 1818.

About 27 African-Americans were members of the Alabama House of Representatives. The State Constitution holds about 300,000 words as well as more than 775 amendments, all of which make it the longest and the most amended state constitution in the whole world.

Aniston in Alabama houses the largest office chair in the world, which is made of about 20,000 lb (10 tons) of steel.

Alabama Population Facts

Hosting a population of 4.8 million people, Alabama ranks 24th in the most populous states category.

It also hosts the largest snail population in the entire United States, with more than 43% of the snails found only in Alabama.

Alabama Poultry Facts

More than $15 billion in revenue generates from the poultry business in Alabama, which accounts for about 65% of the annual farming revenue.

About 2,500 poultry farms are found in Alabama, which provides more than 86,000 jobs to individuals. In fact, after Arkansas and Georgia, the Alabama department ranks third in broiler production. Much before the developments of the poultry industries, the cotton business contributed to a great extent to the state's economy.

Alabama River Facts

Formed by the Tallapoosa and Coosa Rivers to the north of Montgomery, the Alabama River is the chief river of the state. It is the longest flowing river of Alabama, which drains in 18 counties and flows for about 315 m (507 km).

The water of the river is discharged into Mobile Bay via the Tensaw River and Mobile River. Cahaba River is a tributary of it. along with crocodiles and alligators, the Alabama red-bellied turtle is also seen here.

Random Facts About Alabama

The name Alabama has originated from two words, 'alba' and 'amo.' The term 'alba' refers to plants, herbs, or vegetables, while 'amo' means gatherers. Therefore, the word Alabama means vegetation gatherers, which refers to Alabama Indians, who were considered to be the first settlers of this region.

Did you know that Mobile is the oldest city in Alabama state? It hosts the famous World War II Alabama battleship, which is anchored in Battleship Memorial Park.

It extends an enormous port facility to the state. Mobile boasts a rich cultural heritage and also was the first city to host Mardi Gras festivities. The first Mardi Gras celebration took place here in the year 1703, from where this festival spread throughout America.

Huntsville also called the 'Rocket City' or the 'Rocket Capital,' houses George C. Marshall Space Flight Center. It is also known for the first construction of the spacecraft that sent humans to the moon, which was carried out in the rocket center of Marshall Space Flight Center.

The Army Ballistic Missile Agency was reckoned as the Redstone Arsenal of Huntsville in the year 1956.

The northern flicker is the state bird and the monarch butterfly is the state insect. The beautiful star blue quartz is the state's official gem and the wild turkey is the official game bird.

Alabama is also called the 'peanut capital of the world' as it is the third-largest peanut producer in the entire U.S. with more than 900 peanut farmers engaged in farming.

The fossil of a prehistoric man was excavated from the Russell Cave, which highlights the fact that early humans inhabited these caves.

Alabama is also one of the most religious states in the United States of America, with more than 85% of the residents being Christian.

More than 70% of the state comprises forests, and therefore, it is full of natural resources, including timber, iron, and steel.

Alabama is also the birthplace of popular personalities whose immense contributions paved the way for future generations. Born in Greene County, Mary Anderson was the first to invent windshield wipers, and later in 1903, she received the patent for it.

Helen Keller was born in Alabama in the year 1880.

The film 'The Miracle Worker,' which was directed by Arthur Penn, was produced in the year 1962, that depicted the story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan.

Along with Rosa Parks, the activist of the Civil War, several other women activists in Alabama also came forth and raised their voices, thereby making this state one of the most popular centers of revolution in America.

The Little River Canyon near Fort Payne is a great tourist attraction. It is one of the longest mountaintop rivers in the United States.

The first civil aviation school was opened in Alabama state.

Did you know that Alabama is the only state which sells signed copies of every book? You will get these in the bookshop named Alabama Booksmith, which is owned by Jacob Reiss and is located in Birmingham.

In Montgomery, the first successful heart surgery on a 13-year-old boy was performed.

Alabama also holds the longest NASCAR oval in the entire United States of America, bearing a length of about 2.66 m (4.18 km).