Guide Note

Atlanta is the capital of the state of Georgia, as well as the largest city in the state. A pivotal city during the Civil War and a center of the Civil Rights Movement, Atlanta has since become known as one of the cultural hubs of the South.

Fast Facts

1. Country: United States
2. State: Georgia
3. County: Fulton, DeKalb
4. Mayor: Shirley Franklin
5. City population: 486,411 (2007)
6. Currency: U.S. dollar
7. Area code: 404, 678, 770
8. Time zone: EST

Buckhead is both a center of affluence and a popular nightclub destination. Virginia Highlands is upscale and artsy, while neighboring Poncey Highland and Little Five Points are up-and-coming, but somewhat more gritty. Artists priced out of that region have moved on to Cabbagetown, a formerly rough neighborhood that is beginning to gentrify. Candler Park is a leafy, largely residential neighborhood known for its historically significant housing. The bordering Lake Claire has a similar flavor, and despite the name does not have a lake. Midtown Atlanta is one of the commercial centers, and also houses the arts district and the Georgia Institute of Technology, known to its residents as simply "Tech". Fairlie-Poplar and Downtown Atlanta host many of the cities truly historic buildings, although almost none date back to before the Civil War. Both are largely focused on business and tourism. East Atlanta had fallen on hard times in the middle of the 20th century, but is now a thriving neighborhood, full of shops and cultural destinations.

The championship Atlanta Braves moved to Atlanta from Boston in 1966, and have so far brought one World Series title to the city, as well as many pennants. Football's Atlanta Falcons played in Super Bowl XXXIII. The Atlanta Hawks have not won a basketball championship since moving to Atlanta in 1968, and while the Atlanta Thrashers have won several division championships, they have yet to make it to hockey's Stanley Cup.

When planning your trip, please see the pages on an Atlanta Vacation, Atlanta Restaurants, Atlanta Tours, and Atlanta Hotels.