Atlanta is the capital as well as the largest city of the US state of Georgia. The city extends over 132 square miles in between the Appalachian mountains and resides about 350 yards above sea level. Most significantly, Atlanta is one of the major cities of commerce in the US hosting the headquarters of the CNN, Delta Air Lines, Home Depot, Coca Cola and many more.
The climate in Atlanta is mild all year round. In spring it’s lovely and warm and pretty dry with day time temperatures in the 70°F (low 20°C). Summers are hot and humid, whereby July is the hottest month with highs of 89°F (32°C) and common rain showers and thunderstorms. Winters last from November until March and the coldest months are December, January and February when daytime highs reach the low 50°F (low 10°C). At night time lows can drop close to the freezing point.
Best Time to Visit Atlanta
The most pleasant time to visit Atlanta is in spring, starting from the end of March when all over Georgia the beautiful magnolia trees, cherry trees and wildflowers are in bloom. Thanks to the coastal winds, temperatures are relatively mild in summer but it can get very humid. In the swamplands you will find quite a few mosquitoes during that time. Later in the summer the hurricane season starts which lasts until the fall. In October the leaf coloration starts together with the Indian summer. Given the mild climate, outdoor activities such as golf are an option all year round. At times there can be ice storms in winter.
Things to know about Atlanta
Atlanta: ‘Capital’ of the New South - From rail hub to business city
Atlanta was founded in 1837 as the final destination of two railway lines. Ten years on, it became a city but until the civil war it remained just a small center for rail cargo. During the civil war however, Atlanta was a main target of the Northern States given its importance as a rail hub. After 75 days of siege, General William Sherman won against the resistance of the Southern States and completely burned down the city. Once the civil war was over it didn’t take long for the city to be rebuilt and it soon developed as the ‘Capital of the New South’.
Today Atlanta is one of the most high profile business cities in the States and is home to the headquarters of giants such as Delta Air Lines, Home Depot, UPS, Coca Cola and CNN. Atlanta’s airport is the largest in the world. In 1996, when Atlanta was hosting the Olympic Summer Games, over 2 million people came to visit.
One of the most famous sons of the city is Martin Luther King, who was born in Atlanta in 1929.
The main sights in Atlanta include:
- CNN Center: This is the worldwide headquarters of Cable News Network (CNN). It is attached to the multi functional Philips Arena, located next to the Centennial Olympic Park. Since the channel was found in 1980 it offers daily 24h news coverage and many of the most important news of the world were also broadcasted live. Today, many of its political shows are watched by over 93 million US households. In the center, different exhibitions document the history of the channel beautifully and with lots of interesting background info. Visitors can see the studios and control room within guided tours too.
- The Georgia Aquarium is also located near Centennial Olympic Park in Downtown Atlanta and is one of the largest aquariums in the world. The building is very impressive, made of metal and glass and looks like an ark. It was financed by generous donations from the companies in the area. You can observe 120,000 animals of 500 species in more than 8 million gallons of water. More highlights include the 4D movie theatre and the 100 ft long glass Ocean Voyager Tunnel, which leads through the pool of sharks and great devil fish. Especially children can also enjoy the petting pool where you can stroke some harmless sea animals.
- Next on the list is the World of Coca Cola. The drink was created in 1886 in Atlanta and was first only served at a little stand near the Underground Atlanta. Today the drink is being sold in over 200 countries in the world! The interactive exhibition in the world of Coca Cola documents how the drink became so famous and one of the best known brands in the world. It is the world’s largest exhibition of historic collectibles, Pop-Art objects and over 60 different Coca-Cola products. And visitors can also try all sorts of different products!
- Centennial Olympic Park: The complex was built for the Centennial Olympic Games in 1996. The site was financed through the sale of 800,000 engraved bricks, which were then used to build the path. One of the main attractions in the park is the Fountain of Rings, an interactive fountain built in the shape of the Olympic rings. Scattered around the park are also some fantastic sculptures and in summer you can listen to some great concerts in the amphitheatre.
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site: The crypt of the Nobel Prize winner Dr. Martin Luther King attracts visitors from all over the world. The crypt is located next to an eternal flame in a long pool within the compound of the Center for Nonviolent Social Change. There is also a gallery of portraits and objects of memoriam of Martin Luther King Jr. Not far you will also find the Ebenezer Baptist Church which was led by his father and grandfather. A little further east you can also see the birthplace of the most famous civil rights campaigner. The district in which you can see all this is called Sweet Auburn.
