We all know that Georgia has great tasting southern food. We all know that Georgia is a beautiful state with mountains, waterfalls, and rolling fields. We also all know that Georgia is a fun and historic state that anyone would be proud of, but what you don't know is that there is much more to Georgia than the what first meets the eye! Check out these 11 things you didn't know about Georgia.
1. Sweet Vidalia Onions!
We love our onions here in Georgia! Whether they are smothered in gravy or on our BBQ, we can't get enough of them. What you probably didn't know was that the sweet vidalia onion is exclusive to Georgia--they can only be successfully grown in Vidalia and Glennville, Georgia. There's just something special about the water and soil in Georgia!
2. Watermelon Capital
Georgia folks are no strangers to eating watermelon in the summer time. Fortunately for us, Cordele, Georgia is commonly known as the 'watermelon capital of the world'! Who woulda thunk it?
3. Dr. Coke - This is a picture of John Pemberton, the inventor of Coca-Cola
One fateful day in May of 1886, a Georgia doctor sold the very first bottle of Coke at Jacob's Pharmacy soda fountain. Well as you know--the rest is history! The doctor's bookkeeper was the one who suggested the name.
4. Voting Rights
Every 18 year-old has Georgia to thank for their voting rights. That's because Georgia was the leader in the movement to grant 18 year-olds the right to vote. So if you're an 18 year-old, get out and exercise your right to vote!
5. 2nd Oldest City in Georgia
I told you Georgia was full of history! The city of Saint Mary is the 2nd oldest city in the country! This city is in Camden County and is the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore.
6. The Varsity
The famous Varsity located in Atlanta, Georgia is actually the biggest drive-in restaurant in the WORLD! This traditional meeting place is a worldwide landmark!
7. Terminus
Atlanta's name is known all over the country, but it wasn't always known as this name. Atlanta's previous names were Terminus and Marthaville, but those names just didn't hold water!
8. Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite!
If you've ever been to Savannah, you've might have heard of this story before. The saying 'don't let the bed bugs bite' comes from Georgia. When Spanish colonials would stuff their mattresses with Spanish moss it would be crawling with small bed bugs! The Spanish moss can still be seen hanging from the trees in Savannah.
9. Peanut City
Georgia is the country's largest producer of peanuts! And we win this contest not even by a little bit--we make over three times as many peanuts as the #2 producer! In 2013 Georgia produced 44% of all peanuts, while the second producer, Florida produced only 13%.
10. Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium is the largest indoor aquarium in the world. It also brags that it is the most interactive aquarium in the world. Visitors get to feel like they're really in the ocean with their huge tanks and tunnels, interactive otter wading pool, and sting ray petting. It has 8 million gallons of water, 100,000 animals, and 500 species.
11. Paper Leader
Another best thing that Georgia does is paper production! Georgia leads the nation in the production of paper and board, and textile products. May not be the sexiest contest that we've won, but we're proud of it!
Whether it's making the most peanuts in the country or drawing visitors to see the largest indoor aquarium, Georgia certainly holds the #1 place in many contests! Are there any other quirky facts that you know about Georgia? Did you know about these? Let us know in the comments below!
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