State Nickname: Georgia is known as the “Peach State” because of the growers’ reputation for producing the highest quality fruit. The peach became the official state fruit in 1995.
Capital City: Atlanta
Economy:
Agriculture: Poultry and eggs, peanuts, cattle, hogs, dairy products, vegetables.
Industry: Textiles and apparel, transportation equipment, food processing, paper products, chemical products, electric equipment, tourism.
State Motto: Wisdom, justice, and moderation
State Flag: The Georgia flag has three red and white stripes and the state coat of arms on a blue field in the upper left corner. Thirteen stars surrounding the seal denotes Georgia’s position as one of the original thirteen colonies. On the seal three pillars supporting an arch represent the three branches of government; legislative, judicial and executive. A man with sword drawn is defending the Constitution, whose principles are wisdom, justice and moderation. The date 1776 represents the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Flag adopted May 8th, 2003.
State Seal: The Great Seal of the state of Georgia features a symbolic image of the Constitution as an arch that is supported by three pillars. The pillars represent the three branches of government; the legislature, the judicial, and the executive. Banners worded Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation, (Georgia’s official motto) hang from the pillars. The principles of the Constitution are symbolically protected by a man standing ready with a drawn sword. Circling the images are the words “State of Georgia 1776”. In 1914, the legislature decided that 1776, representing the Declaration of Independence, was more appropriate than the 1799 date that formerly displayed on the seal.
State Flower: In 1916, with the support of the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Cherokee rose was named the state floral emblem. The name “Cherokee Rose” is a local designation derived from the Cherokee Indians who widely distributed the plant. The rose is excessively thorny and generously supplied with leaves of a vivid green. In color, it is waxy white with a large golden center. Blooming time is in the early spring, but favorable conditions will produce, in the fall of the year, a second flowering of this hardy plant.
State Tree: A grove of live oaks located within the Fort Frederica National Historic Monument on St. Simons Island.
