Georgia

In many ways, Georgia is still the rural, traditional state that it has been for the past two hundred years. Most of its towns are small and quiet, with more peanuts and corn than people. The northern part of the state is mountainous, the starting point of the Appalachian range that runs north to Maine. As you move south, the land becomes flatter, with rolling fields and forests. Most of the southern part of the state is still farmland.

The major exception to the rule of peanuts and quiet is the capital, Atlanta. A bustling, modern city, Atlanta blends traditional Georgian culture with big business, a wealth of cultural activity, an ethnically diverse population and many excellent colleges and universities. It is radically different from the state's second-largest city, Savannah, which is filled with pre-Civil War architecture and has a slower, more traditional feel. Athens, north of Atlanta, is the home of the University of Georgia, famous for a vibrant music scene that produced one of America's most popular rock bands, R.E.M.

For more natural recreation, visit the Golden Isles along Georgia's coast. St. Simon's Island offers great beaches and secluded natural spaces. More exotic attractions can be found on the Sea Islands, where a unique African culture called 'Gullah' survives from slavery times. St. Helena is particularly well known for this unique language and culture, which dates back to the 18th century.