What do you know about the state of Alabama? Open left menu Alabama National Parks and Wildlife Refuges

English name: Alabama

Alabama State Capital:Montgomery

Timezone: Pacific Time: VGM-6/-5

Official site: www.alabama.gov

Alabama State Motto:

We defend our rights

Original: Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere

Perhaps, Alabama It’s hard to call it a “popular” state outside the United States - there are no world-famous attractions like Hollywood, which glorifies California, or the huge Las Vegas casinos that add to Nevada’s fame. Surely many will not name and the most famous and largest Alabama cities: like Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville or Mobile; in a situation with, for example, the Golden State, this task would be much easier.

With a population of less than five million people, Alabama is not one of the “record-breaking states,” but it is simply impossible to imagine the United States without Sweet Home Alabama.
Almost rectangular in shape, the state narrows sharply in the south to accommodate (with some land around it) Mobile Bay, on the shore of which lies the “sea gateway to Alabama” - the city of Mobile. Named after the Mauvilla Indian tribe, the port city is today one of the largest ports in the country.

The first Europeans to arrive in Mobile Bay were the Spanish, led by Alonso Alvarez de Pineda in 1519 and led by Hernando De Soto two decades later. However, the first permanent European settlement here was founded by the French in 1702, and it was in Mobile - however, then it was called Fort Louis de la Mobile. This city, perhaps not as famous in the world as Las Vegas or New York, is notable for other things - for example, it was here that the country's first Mardi Gras celebration took place in 1704.

According to the Treaty of Paris in 1763, the Alabama lands were transferred to Britain, which soon ceded the rights to them to Spain and the United States; however, only the Spaniards actually owned the lands. Alabama finally became the property of the States only in 1813, when the city was occupied by American troops during the Anglo-American War of 1812.

However, having “got rid of” European encroachments, the American settlers had to face fierce resistance from the indigenous inhabitants of these lands; The Indians were not at all inclined to give their lands to the whites. This part of the history of Alabama (as well as a significant part of the country during the development of new lands) is colored by the blood of thousands of Indians who were mercilessly exterminated by well-armed troops. Eventually, the Indian chiefs signed the necessary papers, ceding much of their land to the settlers.

On December 14, 1819, Alabama became the 22nd state of the Union to get out of it four decades later; During the Civil War, Alabama was one of the states that seceded from the Union. About half of the state's residents (about one hundred thousand people) by that time were slaves, although only every third Alabama resident was a slave owner. By the way, it was in Alabama that the rebel Confederacy was founded.

Despite the fact that for a long time Alabama was not the site of major military operations and major military operations in the state occurred only in the last years of the confrontation, a significant part of Alabamians never returned home from the battlefields - more than twenty-five thousand people.

Agriculture remained the mainstay of the state's economy until the early twentieth century; At the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the metallurgical industry also began to actively develop in Alabama.

Today, along with agriculture (of which cotton still accounts for a fairly large part), Alabama can be proud of its success in poultry, eggs, cattle and hogs; the state's industry is represented by factories producing cars, military equipment, aircraft engines. The mining industry (oil, natural gas, coal) and seafood production also make a significant contribution to the state’s economy.

The development of agriculture in Alabama was largely favored by local weather conditions. Alabama's climate can be called mild - in winter the temperature rarely drops below zero Celsius.

Alabama beaches... This phrase may seem a little strange, but if you remember that Alabama, like Florida, is located on the Gulf of Mexico, the popularity of Alabama beaches becomes clear.

Most Alabamians are white descendants of European settlers. About one in four state residents is black; The proportion of native-born and Hispanic residents in Alabama is extremely small.

Famous Alabama natives include boxers Joe Louis and Evander Hollifield, musicians Nat “King” Cole and Lionel Richie, actress Courteney Cox-Arquette, writer Harper Lee, author of the famous novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and Rosa Parks, famous black rights activist. - It was she who, by refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on an Alabama bus in December 1955, sparked a boycott of city bus traffic by black passengers and, ultimately, the legislative abolition of racial segregation in public transport.

• The rocket that carried the first American astronauts to the moon was made in Alabama.

• According to one version, the name of the state comes from a word from the language of the Creek Indians, meaning “tribal town”.

State of Alabama

Alabama State History

Spanish Expeditions

Colonization

Changing boundaries

19th Century Creek War

Statehood

Civil War

Recovery period

Reaction and economic crisis

20th Century, industrialization

Political development, 1900 - 1972

Civil rights

Late 20th century

State of Alabama

Area: 134.7 thousand sq. km

Capital: Montgomery

Population: 4,447,100 people; 23rd place (December 2000)

Largest cities: Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Hoover, Dothan, Decatur, Auburn, Gadsden.

The state of Alabama is located in the southeastern United States, at the southern end of the Appalachian mountain range, on the Gulf Coast. Alabama is one of the main southern states of the USA. For 450 years, many flags flew over the state, replacing each other: Spain, France, Great Britain and, finally, the Stars and Stripes of the United States, which was replaced during the Civil War by the Confederate flag, and after the war it again took its rightful place at the top State capitol.

Alabama has most interesting story. This state - the twenty-second in a row - became part of the United States on December 14, 1814. And the capital of Alabama, the city of Montgomery, was also the capital of the Southern Confederacy in 1861. Some Alabama cities still retain the spirit and elusive charm and dignity of the Old American South - the land of aristocratic planters and endless cotton fields.

However, this narrow view of Alabama was never entirely true. Cotton is still the most important agricultural crop in the state. But, along with it, corn and soybeans are grown in Alabama; produce nut butters and many grain crops. They are engaged in woodworking and cattle breeding.

On the lands of Alabama, where black slaves once worked, picking cotton by hand, now - thanks to the Hydro-Electric Agricultural Industrialization Program, launched back in 1930 by the Tennessee Valley Authority - modern equipment is working, under the control of highly qualified specialists.

During the same 1930s, an industrial boom swept through the central and southwestern regions of the state, including Alabama's largest city, Birmingham. Now this city is the industrial capital of metallurgy and mechanical engineering of the state.

The Alabama River gives its name to this state. This river was named Alabama by the native Indians who lived on its banks. It was from the Indians that the first Europeans who explored these lands heard her name. The name "Alabama" is a combination of two words from the language of the indigenous Choctaw Indian tribe (Choctaw): plants (alba) and gatherer (amo), which meant that the Choctaw Indians also called these words the fertile land of the river valley, which gives life to all plants. And the people who lived on the banks of the generous river were called by the Choctaw Indians “the people of Alibamon.”

The state of Alabama is also jokingly called the Yellowhammer State because during the Civil War, Confederate soldiers from Alabama sewed yellow patches onto their uniforms, similar to the wings of the Yellowhammer bird, which is one of the symbols of the state.

City of Birmingham.

The largest city in Alabama, the largest transport, cultural and commercial center not only of Alabama, but of the entire southeastern United States. Steel capital of Alabama. The state's largest university, the University of Alabama, is located in Birmingham.

Space camp.

In the north of Alabama, in the city of Huntsville, there is a United States Space Camp. This astronautics town introduces children to professions related to space research, technology and equipment for astronauts.

Everyone can experience various types of “cosmic overloads”. With all kinds of simulator machines, including the body of a working rocket, everyone can feel like a real astronaut. The cosmonautics camp is under the patronage of the American Center for Space Research and Rocket Science. The Camp Museum houses the largest collection of spacecraft and other exhibits illustrating the history of space exploration by US astronauts and scientists. (Bob Gathany/U.S. Space & Rocket Center)

De Soto State Park

De Soto State Park is one of 24 state parks. Located on the banks of the Little River in northeast Alabama. The park was founded in 1930 and is named after the Spanish explorer Fernando de Soto, who traveled through these lands in search of gold in the 16th century.

The autumn natural landscapes of the park are especially beautiful. Truly fabulous routes along magnificent eastern shores Mississippi River.

Montgomery is the capital of Alabama

Located in central Alabama, in Montgomery County, on the banks of the Alabama River.

Is shopping center cotton and timber processing, computer technology and textile industries in the state. The largest Air Force base, Maxwell Air Force Base, is located in the Montgomery area. And Dannelly Field Airport

Montgomery is the state's largest scientific and educational center. The oldest famous educational institutions of the American South are located here: Huntingdon College (1854), Alabama State University (1874), Faulkner University (1942), Troy State University Montgomery (1966), etc.

The ancient buildings of the city and its Capitol are of great architectural interest.

Lots of museums. The Museum of Fine Arts and the house-museum of the famous American writer F.S. are extremely interesting. Fitzgerald (F. Scott Fitzgerald).

According to statistics, the state capital is home to 49.6% of black Americans; 47.7% - WASPs (white); 1.1% Asian; and 0.2% Indians.

Montgomery, State Capitol

The city of Montgomery was the most successful contender for the title of state capital. The central cities of Alabama at various times were Saint Stephens, Huntsville, Cahawba (Cahaba), and Tuscaloosa. But in 1846 the city of Montgomery became the capital and remains so to this day.

In 1851, the ceremonial inauguration of the first and last President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis, took place in the state government building - the Capitol.

(Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel)

Alabama State History

First Residents.

The first inhabitants of what is now Alabama were Indian hunters.

Scientific excavations prove that Indian settlements already existed in the northeastern regions of Alabama more than 8 thousand years ago. However, archaeologists suggest that the first human sites in Alabama existed even earlier - 10-11 thousand years BC.

When the first Europeans came to these lands in the 16th century, Alabama was already inhabited by native Indian tribes. Moreover, these were by no means “savages”. The local natives had rather complex socio-political and religious relations, economic and cultural ties. The natives were engaged in farming and hunting. Crafts were quite well developed: ceramics, stone carving, metalworking. In addition, they had extraordinary artistic talent: they acted out symbolic scenes from their lives and presented them in public.

Spanish expeditions

The first Europeans came to Alabama in search of gold. Back in the 14th century, the Spaniards explored the lands of Alabama.

The first expedition, led by Hernando de Soto, was organized in 1539. Accompanied by hundreds of soldiers, the traveler intended to find in this area the "Golden Kingdom", the legends of which were popular among the Spaniards. De Soto's detachment barbarously invaded small Indian towns, robbed and took hostages, trying to extract information from them about the "Golden Kingdom". The news of the invasion of warlike foreigners quickly spread among the local Indians, and De Soto’s detachment encountered armed resistance from local residents along the entire route of its campaign.

Near the village of Mauvila, on the banks of the Alabama River, De Soto's detachment fought with the warriors of the Tuscaloosa tribe and defeated the Indians. However, this victory came at the cost of heavy losses to the Spaniards. De Soto's detachment continued its march to the west - to the Mississippi region. But the number of the detachment was already far from hundreds. The Spaniards were exhausted by the campaign, constant battles and diseases. They constantly had to defend themselves from the warlike Indians. In addition, none of the local natives helped the Spaniards with food or medicine. Because De Soto's soldiers came to Indian lands not as peaceful explorers, but as greedy conquerors.

Fernando De Soto died on the banks of the Mississippi River and only a few people from his squad were able to return back to Mexico in 1543. Thus ended the first Spanish campaign in Alabama. They never found any gold, and therefore decided that the legend of the “Golden Kingdom” turned out to be a fiction. However, as a legacy of their campaign, they managed to leave the Indians not only children born as a result of mixed “marriages,” but also European diseases, hitherto unknown to the natives.

In 1559, another Spanish expedition was made to Alabama under the leadership of Don Tristan De Luna. His detachment, consisting of 500 soldiers and thousands of colonists, arrived from Mexico in the Mobile Bay area. However, these researchers almost immediately suffered a setback: a storm broke out and destroyed almost all of the expedition’s equipment. The Spaniards were forced to leave the colony and return to Mexico. However, hastily abandoning the inhospitable land, the Spaniards left behind their horses and domestic animals, which the locals accepted into their farms.

Native Americans had no immunity to European viral diseases. Epidemics of previously unheard-of, incurable diseases began among local residents. Thousands died. Many cities and towns were destroyed by disease and abandoned by the survivors. The surviving Alabama Indians formed groups and joined larger tribes. In the 18th century, many Alabama Indians became members of the four largest American Indian tribes: the northern Cherokee Indians; northwestern - Chickasaw; southwestern - Choctaw (Choctaw) and - the union of central and southeastern Indians - the Creek tribe.

The University of Alabama was founded in 1831 and is located in Tuscaloosa. The university is unique in that it houses several museums, cultural sites and historical sites.

In the Museum of Natural History, everyone can see an artifact, which is the largest meteorite, which, when falling to the ground, hit a person and he, fortunately, remained alive. The archaeological museum displays historical artifacts of the development and culture of the Mississippi River basin. The Ferguson Gallery hosts exhibitions of art by University of Alabama students.

The university has its own symphony orchestra, as well as theaters operating in several directions. The Brighton Museum displays numerous awards from university students in various sports throughout the existence of this educational institution.

The University of Alabama is comprised of 13 academic divisions. According to data for 2012, there were 33,602 people studying there, the number of teaching staff was 1,175.

Alabama State Capitol

The Alabama State Capitol is located in Montgomery, United States of America, and has been a historical landmark since December 19, 1960.

Throughout its history, this Capitol has undergone the replacement of several buildings. In the central part of this building there are traves outlined in the Doric order along with a three-story portico, and in connection with the reconstruction of the eastern wing, a new portico with four columns appeared.

The interior of the building is decorated with a dome with eight frescoes by Roderrick Mackenzie, two spiral staircases going in a spiral from the first to the third floors.

The current Capitol building was built in 1851, and over the course of 140 years it has been modified with new buildings and staircases. All additions were made in the same style as the building itself.

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Mount Chikha

Chiha Mountain is the highest point in the state of Alabama, and one of the most popular places for tourist excursions. The relatively low height of the mountain - 700 meters - makes climbing it easily accessible even for beginners and does not require special equipment, and the magnificent landscapes will leave few people indifferent.

The name of the mountain means “high place” in the local language. The top of the mountain is equipped with a special observation tower. The surrounding area of ​​Chiha Mountain is also a very scenic area - it is in the center of a state park, which is equipped with everything necessary for tourist excursions, including convenient trails, including bicycle routes, a summer camp, a museum of Indian culture and a small hotel. Also in the park you can swim, go fishing, admire the waterfalls, and also visit ruins of historical value. This state park has been open to visitors since 1939, so the tourist infrastructure here is developed at the highest level, which, however, does not prevent Mount Chikha from remaining primarily a beautiful area of ​​​​wild nature.

Bon Secours National Wildlife Refuge covers 7,000 acres of wildlife habitat. Bon Secour is a refuge for migratory birds nesting on Alabama Beach, sea turtles and the endangered mouse.

The preserve was established by Congress in 1980 to preserve the coastal ecosystem, protect endangered species, provide recreational opportunities, and serve as a living laboratory for students and scientists.

Bon Secour means "safe harbour" in French. A very appropriate name for a sanctuary for local flora and fauna! The dunes of the Alabama Coast are reminders of the Gulf Coast that once existed. This unique place is considered one of Alabama's 10 Natural Wonders.

Compared to most national parks, Bon Secour is small and includes five separate wilderness areas in Baldwin County and Mobile County, Alabama. The park is fully staffed by three units, but the park is supported by numerous dedicated volunteers throughout the year. Bon Secours National Park welcomes more than 100,000 visitors annually.

More than 370 bird species were identified by refuge staff during migratory seasons. The largest are usually ospreys and several species of herons. Seven species of hummingbirds were also spotted. Mammals such as red fox, coyotes and armadillos are also present.

Wilson Dam

Wilson Dam was truly an engineering marvel. It originally had 49 spillway gates, each capable of passing 10,000 cubic feet of water per second. Over time, the number of gates was increased to 58. In 1925, writer William Benjamin West called the dam the “Greatest Dam of America.” This was the first federal multi-purpose hydroelectric project. The dam was supposed to help combat flooding, which was a real disaster for Alabama, become a reliable source of electricity, and also serve as an incentive for the development of commercial navigation on the then shallow Tennessee River.

Today, the dam is not just a powerful hydraulic complex and a real monument of engineering; thousands of people come to see how every day millions of gallons of water fly down from a hundred-meter height. Power and strength that amazes the imagination!

Wilson Reservoir is a popular recreation destination - more than 15,500 hectares of water surface attracts Americans and tourists from all over the world, lovers of fishing and passive recreation. Over 166 miles, which is exactly the length coastline reservoirs, there are numerous piers, restaurants, hotels offering a wide variety of entertainment for tourists. However, you can relax on the shore quite independently; there are 23 campsites and a large tent camp, and there are specially designated picnic areas.

Joseph Wheeler Plantation

Joseph Wheeler Plantation, commonly known as Pond Spring (or General Joe Wheeler Home in some sources), is a complex historic plantation complex and historic district in the Tennessee River Valley in Wheeler, Alabama. The complex contains twelve historically significant structures dating from 1818 to the 1880s.

On April 13, 1977, Joseph Wheeler Plantation was added to National list historical places.

Pond Spring Plantation was first developed by the John P. Hickman family in 1818. The Hickmans were among the first settlers in Lawrence. In 1827, Benjamin Sherrod, a wealthy planter from Halifax County, purchased Pond Spring and surrounding land.

In the 1830s, his son, Felix Sherrod, greatly expanded the plantation and created the Sherrod House.

After Felix's death, his son, also named Benjamin, inherited the plantation. In 1859, Benjamin Sherrod married Danielle Jones from nearby Caledonia Plantation, and in 1861 he died prematurely.

Beginning in 1880, Wheeler served in various capacities as a United States Representative from Alabama until he retired from politics in 1900. In 1898, Wheeler volunteered to fight in the Spanish-American War and was promoted to major general. He also served in the Philippine-American War (in 1899).

Alabama Museum of Natural History

Located in the heart of the University of Alabama in historic Smith Hall, the Alabama Museum of Natural History is essential to the learning and quality of life of students on campus. The museum provides an appropriate environment for learning, research, and creative activity for students and visitors to the University of Alabama.

Experience Alabama's natural diversity through exhibits from the Age of Dinosaurs, Stone Age, and Ice Age! Take a look at the extensive images of geology, zoology, mineralogy, paleontology, ethnography, history and photography! Experience the beauty of the Alabama Museum of Natural History, located in historic Smith Hall, one of the finest examples of Beaux-Arts architecture in the region.

At the Museum, you'll see the Hodges Meteorite, the only known meteorite to have struck a human, and the Alabama State Fossil: Basilosaurus cetoides.

The museum is open from Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 4:30 pm.

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National Wildlife Refuge - Longleaf Mountain

Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge offers stunning mountain views with large areas of forest in a rugged natural landscape. Those who complete the Longleaf mountain trail will see viewing platforms skillfully integrated into the natural environment of the mountains. They allow you to admire natural wealth and observe fauna from a height of 2063 feet.

Researchers often work in the reserve. Some are studying populations of the rare gray bats and red-cockaded woodpeckers. Others watch the critically endangered fringeless orchid, mountain blueberry, Fraser's loosestrife and juniper bloom. Only at Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge can you see disparate populations of Turkish oak and endangered American pines.

Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge is especially beautiful in the fall, when the deciduous trees display a variety of colors. At this time, the reserve is especially crowded with visitors, most of whom are photographers. Longleaf species even grace postage stamps.

Unfortunately, the reserve cannot yet boast of good infrastructure. Mountain streams often wash away dirt roads, so movement around the area is only possible on foot, although tourists occasionally bring bicycles with them. There are no recreational areas or cafes familiar to Americans yet, and there are no campsites of any kind nearby. The authorities are in no hurry to create the service, and this is understandable: the main task is to preserve, and not destroy, the ecosystem of this unique corner.

The most popular attractions in Alabama with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Alabama on our website.

Alabama is a US state that was named after the river of the same name and an Indian tribe. The territory is located in the Southeast, neighboring the equally famous states of Tennessee, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. According to official data, the area of ​​Alabama is about 134 thousand km. Official status was received in 1819, assigning the title of 22nd state. At the moment the population is about 5 million people. Among the largest cities, it is worth highlighting Tuscazula, Birmingham and Huntsville. Today it is difficult to believe that this beautiful and famous place in the United States of America was once a small Indian settlement.

Alabama's state bird is the golden avoc-billed woodpecker (Colaptes auratus). Alabama's state bird is the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo).	Alabama State Flower: Camellia Alabama State Flower: Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)	Alabama State Fish - Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Alabama State Fish: Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus)
Alabama State Drink: Conecuh Ridge Whiskey	Alabama's state tree is lodgepole pine (Pinus palustris)	Alabama State Animal - American Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
Alabama State Mineral - Hematite	Alabama's state berry is the blackberry.	Alabama state colors are red and white.
Alabama State Fruit: Peach	Alabama's state nut is pecan.

The territory often falls under the influence of the Gulf of Mexico, from which all kinds of hurricanes, tornadoes and other weather disasters come. Alabama is the state that appears most often in emergency reports. The reason for this phenomenon lies partly in the flat terrain, which occupies more than 70% of the land. The descent to the water is smooth, which indicates that there are no obstacles to tropical winds. The highest place barely reaches 735 meters (Mount Chikha). Even forests, which occupy about 60% of the state’s territory, do not protect from strong winds. Heavy precipitation is observed both in summer and winter. In the cold season, the temperature does not exceed the threshold of 0°C. In summer this figure can reach 30°C.

State of Alabama. Economy

Capital of the state of Alabama. Montgomery

Most cities are involved in animal breeding and crop cultivation. All proceeds flow to the capital of Alabama - Montgomery. The state government strongly supports and places its main emphasis on growing cotton, considering this direction the most profitable. Much attention is paid to peanuts, soybeans, corn and some grains. The lion's share of farms where poultry, pigs and cattle are raised belongs to the state. An industrial center has been established in Birmingham. Here and in some other cities in Alabama, factories manufacturing ships, cars, military and civilian equipment were located. A well-developed mining industry only increases the profitability of this area.

State of Alabama. Population and religion

The ethnographic map of Alabama is quite diverse, but the vast majority of residents are white-skinned. Africans here make up no more than 28%, Asians and others – about 2%. Almost all residents speak English language, the exception is no more than 4% of the population. The latter include French, German, Spanish and Chinese dialects. There is practically no such thing as a rural resident in Alabama. The lion's share of people live in cities, even those who are engaged in agriculture and farming. Among the locals you can meet descendants of English, Irish and German settlers who came many years ago in search of better life. The ratio of men and women is close to ideal (48% and 52%, respectively).

State of Alabama. Interesting Facts

• Elsewhere in the United States, Alabama is commonly referred to as the cotton state, based on its main trade destination.
• The famous musician Hank Williams was born in Alabama. This man glorified the country style, making it popular among hundreds of thousands of visiting Americans.
• The first American astronauts to visit the moon were sent on an Alabama rocket. The local space flight center was at one time the most technologically advanced in the United States.
• In 1954, an unusual case was recorded. A meteorite weighing 4 kg fell on an Alabama resident. The woman escaped with bruises, as the stone significantly reduced its speed when colliding with the roof of the house.
• This place has a number of unusual laws that prohibit dogs from barking after 6 pm, playing cards on Sunday, opening an umbrella on the street, or driving with bare legs.
• Oddly enough, the first settlement in what is now Alabama was organized by the French.
• The city of Tuscaloosa is famous for its museum, which contains more than 1.2 million historical books.

State of Alabama. Attractions

Tuskegee University

All tourists should visit Tuskegee University, which was once built specifically to educate black students. This site has little architectural value, reflecting the development path of Alabama. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that the university is the only educational institution of its type that has become a national historical monument in the United States.

Alabama Courthouse

The Alabama Courthouse, built in 1994, isn't a perfect example of style either. The place is famous for the fact that three departments were gathered here for the first time (the Supreme Court, the criminal court, the civil court). Such a neighborhood, which Americans had avoided for many years, turned out to be more than relevant.

Alabama, a photo of which can be found on the Internet, is often associated with the chapel of the African Methodical Episcopal Church. This landmark is famous for the fact that hundreds of thousands of people gathered here in 1965 to defend the idea of ​​equal rights for all Americans. The place became the starting point of the freedom march, as well as the headquarters of the protest leaders. The procession lasted for 5 days, the total distance was more than 85 km. Fighters for equality managed to achieve the abolition of racial discrimination.

Wilson Dam, which is a major hydropower facility, has become a favorite tourist destination. At any time of the day or night, you can see huge masses of water falling from great heights. Wilson Reservoir today is surrounded by hundreds of restaurants, hotels and marinas.

Fort Mitchell will introduce everyone to the military events of 1836 associated with the forced resettlement of Indians. The site has been turned into a historical monument with a theme park, reconstructed buildings and real burial grounds.

Alabama is a southern state and its official nickname is the “Heart of the South.” The name is taken from the language of one of the local Indian tribes, who called themselves “Alabama”. These places were inhabited by several tribes before the Europeans; After the white men took over their territories, the Indians fought desperately but were forced to leave for other states. Alabama is included in the list of states of the so-called Far, or Deep South - these are territories that were completely dependent on some branch of agriculture. The warm climate and humidity made Alabama a convenient place for growing cotton, so there were a lot of plantations, and therefore dark-skinned slaves.

Beyond its obsession with football and race, two topics that Southerners never tire of discussing, Alabama boasts a complex and fascinating history. This territory was controlled by a variety of peoples - from Indians to Spaniards, but in the end Alabama became the 22nd state of the United States. A variety of landscapes - from the spurs of the Appalachian Mountains to the subtropical coast of the Gulf of Mexico, interesting architecture, museums (for example, the Museum of Space History in Hunstville or the Carnival Museum in Mobile), nature in national reserves, water parks and America's oldest Mardi Gras carnival in Mobile attract thousands of travelers from around the world to Alabama.

Major cities: Montgomery (capital), Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Dothan.

The novels “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “Red Chief” by O. Henry and the film “Forrest Gump” are set in Alabama.

How to get there

• by car

You can get to Alabama through any of the neighboring states: a dense network of wide and small highways makes it possible to optimally plan your route to see everything you have planned.

• by bus

Greyhound Lines provides service between cities and towns throughout the state. The company has bus stops in Anniston, Birmingham, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Opelika, Selma, Troy, Tuscaloosa and Tuskegee.

• By train

Alabama is connected to other states railways, so you can get there from any city in the country.

• by plane

The biggest international Airport The state is located in Birmingham. There are no direct flights from Russia to Alabama; usually 1-2 transfers are needed. You can fly here from Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia and others major cities USA. Huntsville International Airport and Mobile and Montgomery Regional Airports accept private flights.

Search for flights to Birmingham, USA (closest airport to Alabama)

Alabama Hotels

Entertainment and attractions in Alabama

Dauphin Island

Dauphin Island is considered one of the main attractions in all of Alabama. Gulf of Mexico near Mobile. There are several bird sanctuaries here, the main one being the 66-hectare Audubon Bird Sanctuary. Dauphin Island is the best place for bird watching, the diversity of which is simply amazing (347 species have been recorded). During spring migration, Dauphin Island is the first stopover for many neotropical birds migrating across the bay from the Yucatan Peninsula.

In addition, Mobile Harbor on Dauphin Island is home to Fort Gaines (1821), a landmark of the American Civil War, and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab with an aquarium. It has its own airport and pier, several historical sites and restaurants, but most of all tourists are attracted by the “semi-desert” beaches of the island.

Coast of Dauphin Island

Birmingham

The symbol of the city of Birmingham and the largest cast iron statue in the world is considered to be a gigantic (17 m) monument depicting Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and blacksmithing, erected in 1904. Now this “icon” of the country’s metallurgical industry stands proudly in the center of the restored and expanded park and now forms an integral part of Vulcan Park & ​​Museum. At the Vulcan Museum, visitors will learn about Birmingham's storied past during the discovery of coal, limestone and iron ore, as well as the lives of ordinary miners.

US Space and Rocket Center

Huntsville is home to the US Space and Rocket Center, a science museum and theme park at the same time. Here, visitors can learn about Huntsville's role in the creation of the American moon rocket, the space race, the Apollo mission, the Space Shuttle program and future missions of NASA's International Space Station, trace the stages of space exploration and see engineers, scientists and astronauts training in one from space camps. In addition, the space center has an IMAX cinema, attractions, exhibitions and video presentations.

Hank Williams Museum

Montgomery is home to the Hank Williams Museum, dedicated to the short life and career of the American country singer. Among his personal belongings, the 1952 Cadillac, in the back seat of which the singer died at the age of 29, stands out. The Francis and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, the Museum of American black rights activist Rosa Parks, and the Museum of Fine Arts with works by American painters and sculptors are noteworthy.

Miniature city-park "Ave Maria Grotto"

In Cullman, it is worth visiting “Ave Maria Grotto” - a park with small copies of 125 places of worship peace. The vast majority of miniatures in the park are Roman Catholic churches and monasteries: St. Peter's Basilica, Montecassino Abbey and the Grotto of the Holy Virgin Mary in Lourdes, the Alamo Mission Chapel in San Antonio. In addition, you can see mini copies Leaning Tower of Pisa, Spanish missions, German castles, South African shrines, and even one pagan temple and power station of the Abbey of San Bernard, where Brother Joseph, the monk who created the Ave Maria Grotto, scattered coal with a shovel.

Mini-city “Ave Maria Grotto”

Beaches

The most popular beaches in Alabama are the beaches of the coastal cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, famous for their white sand.

National parks and reserves

Alabama is home to several preserves and natural areas, including Little River Canyon National Wildlife Refuge near Fort Payne, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park near Alexander City, Russell's Cave near Bridgeport, Talladega Forest, and William B. Bankhead Forest. And one of the most unusual places In Alabama, the Wetumpka crater (Elmore County) is considered to be 7.6 km in diameter and about 83 million years old.