Introduction
Without natural boundaries to control growth, Atlanta just keeps growing. The suburban sprawl has turned Atlanta into a almost endless city. Increased car dependence creates horrendous traffic, traffic creates smog, smog pollutes water, and so on. These problems keep politicians and environmental groups scratching their heads.
For all this suburbanization, Atlanta is a pretty city covered with trees and elegant old homes. The growth raised the roof on the restaurant and shopping scene, and distinct neighborhoods are like friendly small towns. Racial tensions are minimal, but segregation persists.
'Savannah would be better for you. You'll just get in trouble in Atlanta.' - Mammy, Gone with the Wind
Located in the southeastern region of the US, Atlanta is in the northwestern quadrant of the state of Georgia (of which it is the capital). It's about 320km (200mi) northwest of the Atlantic and about 440km (275mi) north of the Gulf of Mexico. The sprawling Atlanta metropolitan area is criss-crossed by I-20 and I-75/85, with I-285 forming the 'Perimeter' (as locals call it). Peachtree St is the main north-south artery, but be aware that some 40 other streets, avenues, roads and lanes are also called Peachtree. The centre of the city is Five Points, the star-shaped intersection formed by several major streets. East of downtown, Sweet Auburn is the city's main African-American neighbourhood. East of Sweet Auburn is Little Five Points, the centre of Atlanta's college and boho set. North of downtown, Midtown is an upmarket entertainment and nightlife area. The West End, west of downtown, is Atlanta's oldest neighbourhood. The Olympic stadium and Grant Park are respectively south and southeast of downtown. Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is 19km (12mi) south of downtown. The Greyhound terminal is next to the Garnett MARTA station, just south of downtown. The Amtrak station is 5km (3mi) north of downtown.
Destination Facts
Time zone: GMT -5
Area: 342
Coordinates: 33.7960014343 latitude and -84.3489990234 longitude
Population: 483108
Languages: Spanish has effective dual-language status in parts of southern California, New Mexico, Texas and Miami.There are 400,000 speakers of Native American dialects.American English encompasses a multitude of regional accents of differing degrees of intelligibility.
Currency: US Dollar (US$)
Daylight Saving: From first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October
Weight System: Imperial
Area codes: 678,404 & 770
Getting there and away
Atlanta's huge Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL; tel:404 209 1700; www.atlanta-airport.com), 19km (12mi) south of downtown, is a major regional hub and an international gateway. With nearly 80 million visitors a year, it is the busiest airport in the world in overall passenger traffic. The Greyhound terminal (tel:404 584 1728; 232 Forsyth St) is next to the Marta Garnett station. Some journey times include Nashville, TN (five hours), New Orleans, LA (10 hours), New York (19 hours), Miami, FL (16 hours) and Savannah, GA (six hours). The Amtrak station (tel:404 881 3062, 800 872 7245; 1688 Peachtree St NW at Deering Rd) is 4.8km (3mi) north of downtown. Take bus No 23 for about 0.8 miles from the Marta Arts Center station.
Getting around
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (Marta; tel:404 848 4711; www.itsmarta.com) rail line travels to/from the airport to downtown, along with a few less-useful routes used mostly by commuters. The Atlanta Airport Shuttle (tel:404 524 3400, 800 842 2770) also transports passengers to hotels all over the city in a minibus. You will find that all the major car-rental agencies have desks in the airport at the baggage-claim level. Driving in Atlanta can be infuriating and confusing. You'll often find yourself sitting in traffic jams, and it's easy to get disoriented - a road map is invaluable.
Weather
Atlanta's weather is mild for much of the year, though July and August tend to be steamy and hot and the area does get snow in December and January. Spring and autumn are the balmiest seasons.
Places of Interest
The suburban sprawl has turned Atlanta into a almost endless city. Increased car dependence creates horrendous traffic, traffic creates smog, smog pollutes water, and so on. These problems keep politicians and environmental groups scratching their heads. For all this suburbanization, Atlanta is a pretty city covered with trees and elegant old homes. The growth raised the roof on the restaurant and shopping scene, and distinct neighborhoods are like friendly small towns. Racial tensions are minimal, but segregation persists.
Without natural boundaries to control growth, Atlanta just keeps growing. The suburban sprawl has turned Atlanta into a almost endless city. Increased car dependence creates horrendous traffic, traffic creates smog, smog pollutes water, and so on. These problems keep politicians and environmental groups scratching their heads.
For all this suburbanization, Atlanta is a pretty city covered with trees and elegant old homes. The growth raised the roof on the restaurant and shopping scene, and distinct neighborhoods are like friendly small towns. Racial tensions are minimal, but segregation persists.
'Savannah would be better for you. You'll just get in trouble in Atlanta.' - Mammy, Gone with the Wind
Located in the southeastern region of the US, Atlanta is in the northwestern quadrant of the state of Georgia (of which it is the capital). It's about 320km (200mi) northwest of the Atlantic and about 440km (275mi) north of the Gulf of Mexico. The sprawling Atlanta metropolitan area is criss-crossed by I-20 and I-75/85, with I-285 forming the 'Perimeter' (as locals call it). Peachtree St is the main north-south artery, but be aware that some 40 other streets, avenues, roads and lanes are also called Peachtree. The centre of the city is Five Points, the star-shaped intersection formed by several major streets. East of downtown, Sweet Auburn is the city's main African-American neighbourhood. East of Sweet Auburn is Little Five Points, the centre of Atlanta's college and boho set. North of downtown, Midtown is an upmarket entertainment and nightlife area. The West End, west of downtown, is Atlanta's oldest neighbourhood. The Olympic stadium and Grant Park are respectively south and southeast of downtown. Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is 19km (12mi) south of downtown. The Greyhound terminal is next to the Garnett MARTA station, just south of downtown. The Amtrak station is 5km (3mi) north of downtown.
Destination Facts
Time zone: GMT -5
Area: 342
Coordinates: 33.7960014343 latitude and -84.3489990234 longitude
Population: 483108
Languages: Spanish has effective dual-language status in parts of southern California, New Mexico, Texas and Miami.There are 400,000 speakers of Native American dialects.American English encompasses a multitude of regional accents of differing degrees of intelligibility.
Currency: US Dollar (US$)
Daylight Saving: From first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October
Weight System: Imperial
Area codes: 678,404 & 770
Getting there and away
Atlanta's huge Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL; tel:404 209 1700; www.atlanta-airport.com), 19km (12mi) south of downtown, is a major regional hub and an international gateway. With nearly 80 million visitors a year, it is the busiest airport in the world in overall passenger traffic. The Greyhound terminal (tel:404 584 1728; 232 Forsyth St) is next to the Marta Garnett station. Some journey times include Nashville, TN (five hours), New Orleans, LA (10 hours), New York (19 hours), Miami, FL (16 hours) and Savannah, GA (six hours). The Amtrak station (tel:404 881 3062, 800 872 7245; 1688 Peachtree St NW at Deering Rd) is 4.8km (3mi) north of downtown. Take bus No 23 for about 0.8 miles from the Marta Arts Center station.
Getting around
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (Marta; tel:404 848 4711; www.itsmarta.com) rail line travels to/from the airport to downtown, along with a few less-useful routes used mostly by commuters. The Atlanta Airport Shuttle (tel:404 524 3400, 800 842 2770) also transports passengers to hotels all over the city in a minibus. You will find that all the major car-rental agencies have desks in the airport at the baggage-claim level. Driving in Atlanta can be infuriating and confusing. You'll often find yourself sitting in traffic jams, and it's easy to get disoriented - a road map is invaluable.
Weather
Atlanta's weather is mild for much of the year, though July and August tend to be steamy and hot and the area does get snow in December and January. Spring and autumn are the balmiest seasons.
Places of Interest
The suburban sprawl has turned Atlanta into a almost endless city. Increased car dependence creates horrendous traffic, traffic creates smog, smog pollutes water, and so on. These problems keep politicians and environmental groups scratching their heads. For all this suburbanization, Atlanta is a pretty city covered with trees and elegant old homes. The growth raised the roof on the restaurant and shopping scene, and distinct neighborhoods are like friendly small towns. Racial tensions are minimal, but segregation persists.
0 comments:
Speak up your mind
Tell us what you're thinking... !