Alabama

Though a relatively small state, Alabama has a remarkably diverse natural landscape. The northern part of the state is filled with rivers, lakes and the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, while the south has farmland areas and beaches along the Gulf Coast. The most interesting thing about the state, though, is its strong connection to the African-American civil rights movement of the 1950's and 60's. The cities of Birmingham and Montgomery were central points of this important social and political movement, and various parks and memorials in these cities keep this history alive.

The northern Alabama cities of Huntsville and Birmingham blend traditional Southern charm with modern culture and technology. After World War II, the American government concentrated scientists in Huntsville to develop rockets and missiles for the space program. You can learn about these projects at the giant Space and Rocket Center, which has an amazing array of hands-on exhibits, films, simulators and old rockets on its grounds. Birmingham has historically been the industrial center of the state, though in recent years the city has become more economically and culturally diverse. The city is also known for its problems during the civil rights movement, when extensive segregation led to violent racial strife. The Civil Rights Institute in the city presents an informative look at the events of those years.

Southern Alabama has a more traditional, rural feel. Much of it is farming territory, though the capital city of Montgomery adds a metropolitan presence to the region. Historically a political power center, it was the original capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War. In one of the first major events of the civil rights movement, an African-American woman named Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus to a white person. This led to a long period of non-violent protest by the city's African-American community, which helped local pastor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. become a nationally recognized civil rights leader. Local landmarks such as the Civil Rights Memorial and the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church explore these historic events.