Understand

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Climate

Atlanta is located on the Piedmont Plateau, at an approximate elevation of 741 to 1,056 feet above sea level. The city is thus somewhat cooler than other places in the US South, a fact that certainly helped the growth of the city before the introduction of air conditioning.

Atlanta experiences a very wide range of temperatures. Temperatures in winter can drop into the single digits on occasion, and some winters bring snowfall. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures frequently reaching above 90°F/32°C. Rainfall is high in late winter and early spring, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit.

History

Atlanta was originally founded as Terminus in 1836, the name reflecting its function as a railway terminus, and renamed Atlanta in 1847. Atlanta remains a key junction point of the US rail system, with several lines connecting in a complex of junctions within the downtown area.

During the American Civil War, the city became the target of a major Union invasion in the American Civil War as part of Union General William T. Sherman's March to the Sea. Union forces entered Atlanta on September 2nd, 1864 and Sherman ordered Atlanta burned to the ground on November 11 in preparation for his march south. As a consequence almost all of buildings in Atlanta date from after 1864.

In the late 20th century, Atlanta has grown to be a major commercial center and is the home of several major enterprises, including Delta Airlines, Coca-Cola, Home Depot, UPS and CNN. At the same time, Atlanta became one of the major centers of the American civil rights movement. Martin Luther King was born in the city, and his boyhood home on Auburn Avenue in the Sweet Auburn district is preserved by the National Park Service as a National Historic Site; his final resting place is in the tomb at the center of the reflecting pool at The King Center.

In 1996, Atlanta hosted the 26th Olympic Summer Games of the modern era. Sadly the games were marred by a terrorist attack on the Centennial Olympic Park, which killed 2 and wounded many more. Subsequently the games were also criticised for poor transport facilities and consequent traffic congestion, and are regarded by many (usually those far outside Atlanta) as the least successful games of recent times. However they have left a legacy of civic improvements and sporting facilities which benefit the visitor.

Visitors

Atlanta is essentially a place to live and work. There are many interesting things to see in the city, and it is well worth the trip from cities such as Chattanooga, TN or Athens, GA for big name concerts and excellent dining.

Because of this, Atlanta has become a major conference and exhibition city. Most of the conference venues are located around Peachtree Center, and when there is a large show in town, it can sometimes seem as though every other person in the city is wearing a nametag.

Atlanta Neighborhoods
Intown neighborhoods are located inside of the "Perimeter", i.e., highway I-285, which...