Alabama Travel Guide
Alabama is located in the southeastern United States. It is not very large (area - approximately 52.5 thousand square miles), and has a population of over 4.5 million people. The economy of the state is strongly comprised of agriculture - livestock, poultry, and cotton. In particular, one of the most important crops in its agriculture is the production of peanuts. Industries include aerospace, education, health care, banking, automobile manufacturing, steel manufacturing and wood based industries - wood, paper, cellulose, etc.
Alabama, in 14 December, 1819 became the 22nd state. Its nickname is the Yellow hammer State. This nickname goes back to the Civil War in the United States when many of the younger Confederate soldiers that fought for Alabama were teased because they flickered on and off the battlefield. On their sleeves and collars were patches. The younger volunteer soldiers from Alabama wore bright yellow pieces of cloth, and this contrasted from the faded, worn uniforms of the veteran soldiers. Because casualties were so high in the Confederate Army - particularly those from Alabama - the majority of troops ultimately tended to be younger, fresh and untested recruits similar to those nicknamed "Yellowhammer Company". This nickname quickly spread to all members of the Alabama Confederate Army forces as the war dragged on with horrendous casualties.
The flower of Alabama is the camellia. The capital of the state is the city of Montgomery. The flag of Alabama - the cross of St. Andrew - was officially adopted in 1895. The name was translated from the language of the Choctaw Indians. Alabama means clearers of the weeds and brush or gatherers of herbs. The indigenous peoples were named Alibamo by the Spanish in the Hernando DeSoto expedition of 1540.
What to see
Alabama Shakespeare Festival - This is one of the ten largest Shakespearean theaters in the world, and only in America is the flag of England's Royal Shakespeare Company displayed proudly (which is considered a great honor). Performances are year-round.
The Birmingham Zoo - one of the most popular tourist places annually host more than 450 thousand visitors. The zoo is home to about 250 species of insects and 750 species of animals, including sea lions, cheetahs and Asian elephants.
The Alabama Historic Theatre - opened in 1927 in the city Birmingham. Once you entered the network Paramount Theatre Chain, there were many stars of Broadway featured all around. The theater functioned for 55 years and then closed. In 1987 it was purchased by Birmingham Landmarks Inc. and turned into a concert and exhibition hall with a Performing Arts Centre. Every year in the Alabama Theatre 250 shows of a variety of styles are carried out: ballet, opera, rock 'n' roll, fashion shows and movies.
Alabama State Capitol - this is the local "White House", where Jefferson Davis took the post of President of the Confederate States. The interior of the building houses the Senate, the Supreme Court, the House of Representatives and the other administrative facilities. These have been restored in the style of the Civil War. Admission is free and you can also book guided tours if you want.
Annual Renaissance Fair in Florence Alabama - The Renaissance Festival is held annually on the fourth weekend in October in the city of Florence (yes, it is named in honor of the Italian Florence). This event is very similar to Italian carnivals: with costumes, masks, games and tricks, medieval music and dances. The festival is held at Wilson Park and lasts two days.
Natural attractions: Horseshoe Bend National Military Park near Alexander City, Little River Canyon National Preserve near Fort Payne, Russel Cave National Monument in Bridgeport, and four other national forests including Conecuh, Tallegada, Tuskegee, and William B. Bankhead. A famous historic path is the Natchez Trace Parkway that follows old and ancient lines of communication dating back to the 1000 AD Mississippian culture era. For those enamored with the heritage of the Cherokee Indian Nation, an important visit is to the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. It is a fantastic natural wonder that is artfully memorable and is the longest free standing natural bridge east of the Rocky Mountains - "Natural Bridge Rock" - it is located just south of Haleyville in Winston County. Finally for those interested in geology, Alabama is the site of a collision from a large meteorite (300 meter wide meteorite) that blasted a 5 mile diameter hole into the earth's bedrock. This area is called the Wetumpka Crater and it is believed to have occurred about 80 million years ago.
Finally - talk to anybody from Alabama and ask them whether the Crimson Tide is going to have a championship season as good as the Coach Paul Bear Bryan days - you will be sure to put a smile on their face about their favorite college football team.