Interesting Facts About Atlanta

atlanta

The city of Atlanta is growing in height as well as in expanse. This booming metropolitan city traces its creation to the early 1840s when it was a tiny settlement. Nestled at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the city besides being rated as an alpha-city, takes pride in having one of the most extensive covers of greenery among US cities. Home to some of the most recognizable brands like the Coca Cola and CNN, the city has moved from strength to strength, becoming one of the foremost global economic powerhouses. Atlanta is the capital of the state of Georgia that is located in the Southeast of the United States. Having a population of more than 5 million which is steadily rising due to migration of fortune-seeking US nationals from neighboring states as well as immigrants, the city will continue to have stupendous growth in years to come. Atlanta’s never ending suburbia gives the impression that this sprawling metropolis is a mega mammoth city that is ceaselessly growing, which is undeniably true. Often considered to be one of the prettiest US cities, this remarkable city is a shinning example of sustainable development where environmental concerns are a prime part of the growth plan thanks to effective eco-friendly policies. Browse below to know more interesting facts about the amazing city of Atlanta.

 Fast Facts

 Country: United States of America
State/Region: Georgia
Language(s) Spoken: English and Spanish
Demonym: Atlantan
Religion: Christianity
Districts: 12
Area: 343 sq. km
Population: 420,003 (2010)

Facts About Atlanta

    • In 2010, Atlanta was ranked as the seventh most visited city in the United States, with 35 million visitors per year.
    • Atlanta has become the fifth city to be the capital of the state of Georgia. It was preceded by Savannah, Augusta, Louisville, and Milledgeville.
    • Maynard Holbrook Jackson, Jr. was the first African American mayor of Atlanta, appointed in the year 1974
    • The famous Varsity Restaurant in Atlanta serves the highest amount of Coca-cola in the world. The restaurant caters to nearly 3 million servings of Coca-Cola annually.
    • In 1942, the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (then named Candler Field) achieved the record of 1,700 takeoffs and landings in a single day, earning the title of ‘the nation’s busiest airport in terms of flight operations’.
    • With a passenger terminal that is equivalent to the size of more than 45 football fields, the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport still holds the title of ‘the world’s busiest airport’.
    • There are more than 55 streets with the name ‘Peachtree’ in Georgia.
    • Bank of America Plaza, one of the skyscrapers located in Atlanta, is the 53rd tallest building in the world and the tallest one in Georgia.
    • Atlanta is home to the fourteenth largest mall in the nation–The Mall of Georgia. The city also has 130 retail centers and 54 public parks.
    • After Chicago, the city of Atlanta has more shopping center space per capita than any other city.
    • Atlanta hosts the Peachtree Road Race, the largest 10 kilometer race in the world, with around 45,000 participants per year.
    • From 1843 to 1844 Atlanta was called as Marthasville.
    • The tallest hotel in western hemisphere, the Westin Peachtree plaza with 73 stories and height of 723 feet, is located in Atlanta.
    • Atlanta is represented as a symbol of the mythological Egyptian bird called the Phoenix. A historic fire incident that was deliberately set to destroy the city justifies the representation. Though the city was burnt, but like the Phoenix it rose from the ashes to become an influential city.
    • The Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel with 1,674 rooms is the largest hotel in the Southeast US.
    • The tallest escalator in Southeast US is in Atlanta which is at the MARTA’s Peachtree Center station, having a height of 192 foot.
    • Coca-Cola was first set up in the city of Atlanta. Today, the city is home to other corporate giants and many Fortune 500 companies like UPS, Georgia Pacific, and CNN.
    • The state capitol building in Atlanta is layered with 43 ounces of pure gold which was mined out from Dahlonega, Georgia.
    • Atlanta has the world’s largest cable-supported dome stadium called the Georgia Dome.
    • Atlanta is host to numerous athletic events like gymnastics, basketball, and handball. The other big sport events like the 1996 Olympics and 2000 Super Bowl were also hosted by the city.
    • Atlanta’s area is second to Washington DC in terms of federal regional concentration.
    • Atlanta is the home town of the famous civil rights movement leader Martin Luther King Jr.
    • World’s largest toll-free dialing area is in Atlanta.
    • Atlanta is the sole city in North America to be destroyed by fire during war. The city was burnt down to ashes by General Sherman on November 15, 1864.
    • The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is situated in Atlanta. It is the largest museum in the world dedicated to the famous leader of civil rights movement.
    • There are 41 public golf courses in Atlanta.
    • Atlanta is one of the greenest cities in US with the largest suburban office park in the world called the Perimeter Center.
    • The largest bas-relief sculpture in the world called the Georgia’s Stone Mountain Park is in Atlanta city.
    • Atlanta is a prime center for arts and entertainment. The Fox Theatre is the second largest theatre and the oldest ballet company of the nation. Atlanta Ballet, the famous summer series, is organized every year with other popular events.
    • The second largest convention center in the world—the Georgia World Congress Center—is situated in Atlanta.
    • Atlanta has seen continued peace over the decades. The “Centennial Olympic Games” were held in Atlanta in 1996 to celebrate the 100 year history of interracial harmony between blacks and whites.