Alabama, the 22nd state to join the union in 1819, is located in the southern United States and is nicknamed the “Heart of Dixie.” The region that became Alabama was already occupied by Aboriginal people some 10,000 years ago.

Europeans reached the area in the 16th century. During the first half of the 19th century, cotton and slave labor were central to Alabama’s economy. The state played a key role in the American Civil War; the capital, Montgomery, was the first capital of the Confederacy.

After the war, much of the South was segregated between whites and blacks. In the mid-20th century, Alabama was the center of the American civil rights movement and home to such pivotal events as the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

In the early 21st century, the state’s economy was fueled in part by jobs in the aerospace, agriculture, auto manufacturing, and service industries.

Geography

Alabama is a U.S. state located in the southeastern region of the country, bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. It covers an area of 52,423 square miles, making it the 30th largest state in terms of land mass. Alabama is composed of several distinct geographical regions that each have their own unique characteristics.

The Appalachian Mountains run through northern Alabama and are home to some of its most rugged terrain. This region features steep slopes and dense forests that are home to a variety of wildlife species such as black bears, deer, and wild turkeys. The highest point in Alabama is Cheaha Mountain which stands at 2,407 feet above sea level.

To the south lies a lowland plain known as the Black Belt Region due to its dark soil composition which makes it ideal for growing cotton. This area also has some rolling hills and is home to many small farms as well as larger cities such as Montgomery and Selma.

The Gulf Coastal Plain stretches along Alabama’s coastline from Mobile Bay in the west to Perdido Bay in the east. This region is characterized by sandy beaches and barrier islands with white sand beaches along with marshlands and tidal flats which are home to a variety of wildlife species including alligators and migratory birds such as sandpipers and pelicans.

The Piedmont Plateau is situated between these two coastal plains in central Alabama where it rises from sea level up into higher elevations around Birmingham. This region features rolling hills with many rivers cutting through them such as Cahaba River which forms part of Alabama’s border with Georgia near Birmingham.

Finally, there is also an area known as The Shoals which includes parts of northwestern Alabama around Florence where there are several large reservoirs formed by dams on major rivers like Tennessee River that provide hydroelectric power for much of northern Alabama.

Overall, Alabama has a diverse landscape ranging from rugged mountains in its northern regions down through rolling hills in its central areas all along its coastline on both sides featuring white sand beaches with marshlands full of wildlife making it an interesting place for outdoor activities throughout its different regions year-round.

Cities in Alabama

Below are the top 15 cities by population in Alabama. For all cities and towns in the state, please see Alabama cities list.

Rank	City	Population
1	Huntsville	210,081
2	Birmingham	202,234
3	Montgomery	201,022
4	Mobile	187,445
5	Tuscaloosa	99,252
6	Hoover	91,371
7	Auburn	74,637
8	Dothan	70,318
9	Decatur	57,303
10	Madison	55,551
11	Florence	39,709
12	Vestavia Hills	38,504
13	Phenix City	38,216
14	Prattville	37,977
15	Gadsden	34,317

Counties in Alabama

The State of Alabama consists of 67 counties. They are: