Georgia

Georgia is a rolling land of magnolia trees, red clay earth, oaks dripping with moss, succulent pine trees, stunning coast and serious swamps. Mighty mountains give way to agricultural lands that grow peanuts, peaches, pecans and delicious Vidalia onions. Dramatic sun-kissed beaches tuck alongside wild coastal marshes, antebellum mansions peek out at new construction, crickets and cicadas sing beside highways flowing with traffic. Georgia is surprisingly diverse, both in geography and population. Southern values exist with a modern twist, where Southern hospitality doesn't exclude anyone. A growing patchwork of cultures makes the state ...

Georgia is a rolling land of magnolia trees, red clay earth, oaks dripping with moss, succulent pine trees, stunning coast and serious swamps. Mighty mountains give way to agricultural lands that grow peanuts, peaches, pecans and delicious Vidalia onions. Dramatic sun-kissed beaches tuck alongside wild coastal marshes, antebellum mansions peek out at new construction, crickets and cicadas sing beside highways flowing with traffic. Georgia is surprisingly diverse, both in geography and population. Southern values exist with a modern twist, where Southern hospitality doesn't exclude anyone. A growing patchwork of cultures makes the state interesting — socially, politically and culturally. Whether you wander through history in Savannah, follow the trail of Gone With the Wind, enjoy all the New South has to offer in Atlanta, cruise the coast, swim under a waterfall or climb the North Georgia Mountains, Georgia will keep you pleasantly surprised.

About the Expert

Debra Landau has written eight Lonely Planet guidebooks, including books on the USA, Caribbean, and the South.