Georgia Regions and Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering Georgia’s five physiographic regions, their landforms, soils, climates, and related geographic terms.

Coastal Plain (Georgia)

Largest region covering the entire southern half of Georgia; flat land with loamy and sandy soils, hot summers, mild winters, and many water-based habitats.

Loamy Soil

Rich, dark soil found in the Coastal Plain; ideal for farming due to its mix of sand, silt, and clay.

Piedmont (Georgia)

Second-largest region characterized by rolling hills, hard red clay, rocky terrain, and large forests; experiences hot summers and mild winters.

Red Clay

Dense, iron-rich soil common in Georgia’s Piedmont, giving the ground its distinctive reddish color.

Isolated Mountain

A single mountain that stands alone, typical of Georgia’s Piedmont landscape.

Blue Ridge Region

Northeastern Georgia mountain area with over 80 inches of rain in some spots; home to Brasstown Bald and the southern start of the Appalachian Trail.

Brasstown Bald

Georgia’s tallest mountain, located in the Blue Ridge Region.

Appalachian Trail (Southern Terminus)

The starting point of the famous hiking trail found in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

Valley and Ridge Region

Northern Georgia area featuring alternating small valleys and steep ridges formed by erosion; shares climate and wildlife with nearby mountain regions.

Ridge (Geomorphology)

A long, narrow elevation of land formed by erosion, common in Georgia’s Valley and Ridge and Appalachian Plateau regions.

Appalachian Plateau

Georgia’s smallest region in the northwest; a high, flat plain with wooded ridges, narrow valleys, caves, and a mild mountain climate.

Plateau

An elevated, flat expanse of land; the defining landform of the Appalachian Plateau region.

Mild Climate

Weather pattern featuring warm summers and short, not-too-cold winters, typical of Georgia’s mountain regions.

Nocturnal Animals

Species that hunt at night and sleep during the day; many inhabit Georgia’s Piedmont region.

Erosion

The gradual wearing away of rock that created the steep ridges in Georgia’s Valley and Ridge region.

Narrow Valley

Slender low-lying area between ridges, common in the Appalachian Plateau.

Swamps and Marshes

Wetland habitats abundant in Georgia’s Coastal Plain, supporting water-dependent wildlife.

Mountain Regions of Georgia

Collective term for the Appalachian Plateau, Valley and Ridge, and Blue Ridge regions.

Hot Summers

Seasonal condition of high temperatures; prevalent in Georgia’s Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions.

Short Winters

Brief cold season experienced in Georgia’s mountain areas, allowing animals with thicker fur to survive.