Alabama was once a region claimed by the Spaniards as part of Florida. The English also claimed it as part of the province of Carolina. Nevertheless, when the French took over Louisiana they also took over the territory including Alabama. Later when the United States acquired the Louisiana Purchase and the Mississippi Territory, there was much controversy as to whether or not Alabama was included. Nevertheless, Alabama became the 22nd state in 1819.

The state of Alabama seceded from the Union and became a Confederate state on January 11, 1861. While not many battles were fought in the state, it contributed about 120,000 soldiers to the Civil War. After the war a provisional government was set up in 1865 and Alabama was readmitted to the Union in June 1868.

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Law and government
Main article: Law and Government of Alabama

The current governor of the state is Bob Riley and the two U.S. senators are Jeff Sessions and Richard C. Shelby (all three from the Republican Party).

See also: List of Alabama Governors

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Geography
Main article: Geography of Alabama

Alabama is the 30th largest state in the United States with 135,765 km2 (52,419 mi2) of total area. 3.2% of that is water, making Alabama 23rd in the amount of surface water. About three-fifths of the land area is a gentle plain with a general incline towards the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. Alabama generally ranges in elevation from sea level at Mobile Bay, to a little more than 1800 feet or 550 meters near the Georgia state line. The highest point is Mount Cheaha (pronounced like "chee-ha") at 2704 feet or 734 meters.

Interstate highways in Alabama:

Interstate 20
Interstate 59
Interstate 65
Interstate 85
Interstate 459
See also: List of Alabama counties, Lower Alabama

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Economy
The 1999 total gross state product was $115 billion placing Alabama 25th in the nation. The Per Capita Income for the state was $23,471 in 2000. Alabama's agricultural outputs are poultry and eggs, cattle, nursery stock, peanuts, cotton, vegetables, milk, and soybeans. Its industrial outputs are paper, lumber and wood products, mining, rubber and plastic products, transportation equipment and apparel.

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Demographics
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Important cities and towns
Main article: List of cities in Alabama

Birmingham
Hoover
Bessemer
Homewood
Vestavia Hills
Center Point
Alabaster
Mountain Brook
Hueytown
Pelham
Trussville
Fairfield
Gardendale
Forestdale
Helena
Mobile
Prichard
Tillmans Corner
Saraland
Huntsville
Madison
Montgomery
Tuscaloosa
Northport
Columbus, Georgia
Phenix City
Smiths Station
Anniston
Oxford
Saks
Florence
Muscle Shoals
Gadsden
Dothan
Auburn
Opelika
Decatur
Enterprise
Ozark
Daphne
Fairhope
Prattville
Millbrook
Albertville
Selma
Valley
Lanett
Athens
Cullman
Talladega
Sylacauga
Jasper
Tuskegee
Troy
Leeds
Hartselle
Scottsboro
Alexander City
Eufaula
Fort Payne

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Education
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Colleges and universities
Air University
Alabama A&M University
Alabama State University
Athens State University
Auburn University
Auburn University at Montgomery
Birmingham-Southern College
Concordia College-Selma
Faulkner University
Huntingdon College
Jacksonville State University
Judson College
Miles College
Oakwood College
Samford University
Southeastern Bible College
Southern Christian University
Spring Hill College
Stillman College
Talladega College
Troy State University
Troy State University at Dothan
Troy State University at Montgomery
Tuskegee University
United States Sports Academy
University of Alabama System
University of Alabama
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama in Huntsville
University of Mobile
University of Montevallo
University of North Alabama
University of South Alabama
University of West Alabama

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Professional sports teams
Minor league Arena Football teams
Tennessee Valley Vipers
Birmingham Steeldogs
Minor League baseball teams
Birmingham Barons
Huntsville Stars
Mobile BayBears
Montgomery Biscuits
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Culture and interests
Famous Alabamians
Music of Alabama
Alabama Public Television, state wide public TV network
List of television stations in Alabama
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External links
The Official Website of the State of Alabama (http://www.alabama.gov/)

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "alabama".

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