Atlanta is the exciting capital city of Georgia, and is also one of the most populous cities in the United States with a population reaching nearly 500,000 residents. It is a city that has tons of attractions to see and draws thousands of visitors from around the world each year.
In the beginning, city was created for the railway. During the 1830s, railways were established providing trade and transportation throughout Georgia and as a route to the Midwest. It was first known as Marthasville. However, the city was soon renamed Atlanta-Pacifica and then later shortened to Atlanta. Atlanta was incorporated as a town in 1847. Throughout the years, the railroad industry flourished in Atlanta providing transportation of people and goods to the newly formed states in the union. During the American Civil War, the Atlanta railroad played an important role for the military. It was used to transport soldiers and artillery. There were several attacks and battles on the railroad and on the city during the Civil War. However, the city survived and by the end of the Civil War, Atlanta was one of the areas that most helped the newly free slaves establish their new lives. In 1868, Atlanta was named the capital of Georgia.
During the 20th century, racial tension grew in Atlanta. As the city grew, more and more issues surfaced in regards to race. In 1906 a racial riot exploded. Approximately 27 people were killed and several others wounded during the riots. The racial tensions grew to enormous proportions. People were arrested and put in prison for racially motivated acts and crimes. As a result, Atlanta played a big role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. It was the home of the famous Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King.
Today, Atlanta has several museums that display its rich history in the railways, the Civil War, and the Civil Rights Movement. It is a city that is full of lights and life. There are several restaurants, fine shopping, sporting events, theater, and more in Atlanta. It is considered to be one of the most popular tourist areas in the south eastern part of the United States. Atlanta was the home of the Summer Olympics in 1996, which was the place where a bombing took place. There is always something fun and exciting to do in Atlanta, Georgia.
Atlanta is a huge city with a lot of traffic with people driving well over the speed limit. The major freeways are always backed up with bumper to bumper traffic, especially during the rush hours. One has to have a lot of patience to drive in Atlanta because of all of the traffic. The northern part of Atlanta is usually the worst area for traffic and wrecks. With the insane traffic, many visitors choose to rent a car while visiting Atlanta. They will probably spend a lot of time inside the car, so they like to rent a car that is comfortable and reliable to see and tour the city. All car rentals in Atlanta require a valid driver’s license and a credit card. The minimum age for renting a car in Atlanta is usually 25 with most car rental agencies. So, when renting a car in Atlanta, keep in mind that there is a good chance that you will spend a lot of time in the car. Therefore, choose a rental car that you will like and be comfortable in. |
