Georgia is in the southeastern region of the United States. It is the 24th-largest in area and 8th most populous, being home to 11 million Georgians. The largest city and capital is Atlanta. The Atlantic metropolitan area, is home to 6 million people. It contains about 56% of the entire state population.

Georgia was founded in 1733 as the last of the 13 British colonies. It was designed as a buffer state to separate the established British colonies from Spanish Florida. It was named after King George II of Great Britain. The Colony of Georgia stretched west to French Louisiana at the Mississippi River.

After the Revolutionary War, Georgia became the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution. In 1804, western Georgia was split off to form the Mississippi Territory, which later became Alabama and Mississippi.

Georgia was one of the original seven Confederate States. Following the Civil War, it was the last state to be restored to the Union, on July 15, 1870.

During the 20th century, several Georgians, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., were prominent leaders during the civil rights movement.

In modern times Georgia has seen substantial population growth as part of the Sun Belt region.

Georgia contains the Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountain system. The Piedmont Plateau runs from the foothills of the Blue Ridge south to the Fall Line. This escarpment marks the western edge of the Coastal Plain.

Georgia's highest point is Brasstown Bald - 4,784ft (1,458m). All of the state, except for the Blue Ridge Mountains, has a humid subtropical climate.