Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index Alternate meanings: see Alabama (disambiguation) Alabama (In Detail) (Full size) State motto: We Dare Defend Our Rights Other U.S. States Capital Montgomery Largest City Birmingham Area  - Total  - Land  - Water  - % water Ranked 30th 135,765 kmē 131,426 kmē 4,338 kmē 3.20% Population  - Total (2000)  - Density Ranked 23rd 4,447,100 34/kmē Admittance into Union  - Order  - Date 22nd December 14, 1819 Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5 Latitude Longitude 30°13'N to 35°N 84°51'W to 88°28'W Width Length Elevation  -Highest  -Mean  -Lowest 306 km 531 km   734 meters 805 meters 0 meters ISO 3166-2: US-AL Alabama is a southern state located in the southern United States; the population of Alabama is 4,447,100 as of 2000. USS Alabama was named in honor of this state. Table of contents 1 History 2 Law and Government 3 Geography 4 Economy 5 Demographics 6 Important Cities and Towns 7 Education 7.1 Colleges and Universities 8 Professional Sports Teams 9 External links History Main article: History of Alabama Among Native American people once living in present Alabama were Alabama (Alibamu), Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Koasati, and Mobile. 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. Law and Government Main article: Law and Government of Alabama The current governor of the state is Bob Riley (Republican) and the two U.S. senators are Jeff Sessions (Republican) and Richard C. Shelby (Republican). See also: List of Alabama Governors 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 ranges in elevation from sea-level to a little more than 1800 ft near the Georgia line. See also: List of Alabama counties 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. The Heart of Dixie State Bird: Yellowhammer State Capital: Montgomery State Flower: Camellia State Motto: "We Dare Defend Our Rights" State Song: "Alabama" State Tree: Southern Pine Demographics Important Cities and Towns Main article: List of cities in Alabama Montgomery Education 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 at Birmingham University of Alabama at Huntsville University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa University of Mobile University of Montevallo University of North Alabama University of South Alabama University of West Alabama Professional Sports Teams Minor League baseball teams Birmingham Barons Birmingham Steeldogs Huntsville Stars Mobile BayBears Montgomery Biscuits External links The Official Website of the State of Alabama This article is from Wikipedia. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.