50 state - Alabama

Alabama . . .

The official state flag of Alabama is called the "crimson cross of St. Andrew's," a red cross on a white background. This flag was adopted in 1895, and was patterned from the Confederate Battle Flag. This flag can be any type of rectangle (even a square) but the crimson bars must be six inches wide.

Alabama is located in the South and borders Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee and also a small part borders the Gulf of Mexico.

Alabama was the 22nd state and became admitted into the Union on December 14, 1819. The capital city is Montgomery and the largest city is Birmingham. Its nickname is the Heart of Dixie, cotton state or Yellowhammer State.

Alabama is 52,423 square miles and the 30th largest state in the USA. The highest point in the state is Cheaha Mountain, 2,405 ft and the lowest point is the Gulf of Mexico at sea level with the mean elevation being 500 ft.

The land in Alabama is heavily wooded, and forests cover almost 65% of the state. The Appalachian Mountains begin in Alabama. There are also many caves throughout the state, and in the south are rolling grasslands, marshes and swamps also along the Gulf of Mexico coastline. Alabama has more than 1,300 miles of navigable rivers which is more than any other U.S. State.

Alabama climate is mild all year with an average temperatures of low 80's in summer, and mid 40's in the winter. Northern part of the state could see light snow occasionally and and rainfall is seen in all seasons throughout the year. High humidity is common with the rain and also in the south along the the Gulf of Mexico

Major Industries and agriculture in Alabama are cotton, corn, peanuts, soybeans, poultry, mile, cattle and livestock. Also hydroelectric power, mining steel-making, paper, lumber and wood products, rubber and plastic products.