The true beauty of Alabama lies in its mountains, forests, rivers, and Gulf shores. With the state's overall warm temperatures, the great outdoors can be enjoyed any time of year. But outdoor activities aren't the only reason to visit this stunning state. There are plenty of historical and cultural attractions to keep travelers busy, too.
The Gulf of Mexico bathes Alabama's southern edge in its warm waters. Here, the land is a coastal plain, full of marshes and swamps. Heading to the state's center, the earth becomes rolling grasslands. Then the Appalachian Mountains begin in the north, with several major ranges. Despite these geographic differences, Alabama is predominantly a woodland, with forests covering 65 percent of the land. It also has more navigable rivers than any other state -- 1,350 miles' worth. And its underground is just as breathtaking, with caves scattered all over the state.
Alabama's climate is warm, temperate, and humid. In the summertime, most areas of the state average highs around 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The coast can be struck by hurricanes and tropical storms during hurricane season (June 1 to November 30), but they only affect Alabama an average of once every 9 to 10 years. However, hurricane activity fluctuates from decade to decade, as well as due to the El Nino -- La Nina cycle. Alabama winters are short and mild, with average highs above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. During January and February the northern part of the state may receive a small amount of snowfall, which melts quickly.
With Alabama's abundance of natural resources and mild weather, the Native American tribes that settled these lands thousands of years ago flourished, growing into amazingly complex societies. In fact, the site at Moundville was once the largest city in North America, during its prime, having a population of 1000 in the city itself, and 10,000 in the surrounding valley. For unknown reasons, its people eventually moved away, leaving the area mostly abandoned by the 1500s. Many similar, though smaller, mound villages existed throughout the state. Ruins of these mound villages, especially the Moundville Archaeological Park, provide visitors today with a fascinating look at life in these ancient civilizations.
Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto trekked through Alabama in 1540. French and British explorers followed, with the French establishing the first European settlement in 1702. However, the Treaty of Paris ceded the lands to the British in 1763; twenty years later, the U.S. gained the territory after the end of the Revolutionary War. Conflicts between Native Americans and colonists came to a head during the Creek War, which ended in 1814 when Andrew Jackson's army defeated the Creeks. Afterward came a large influx of settlers from nearby states and the northeast. Alabama became the 22nd state in the Union in 1819. While many settlers lived simply as subsistence farmers, cotton plantations sprung up in the state's fertile Black Belt region. The push for emancipation threatened the livelihoods of wealthy plantation owners, and Alabama seceded from the Union in 1861. Montgomery became the capital of the Confederacy. After the Civil War, Alabama's economy suffered for decades, until industrialization spurred a slow recovery. In the 1950s and 1960s, many important events during the Civil Rights movement occurred in Alabama, such as the Montgomery bus boycott.
Today, Alabama's leading industries include the manufacturing of paper, chemicals, rubber and plastics, textiles and clothing, primary metals, and automobiles. Agriculture is also significant, with poultry, cattle, cotton, peanuts, vegetables, and nursery products topping the list in importance. A NASA center and several military installations contribute to Alabama's economy as well.
The space industry provides visitors with unique travel experiences At the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, kids and adults alike can enjoy hands-on exhibits, activities, and watch Space Camp attendees training to be astronauts.
Huntsville and other large cities like Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile boast other top-notch attractions as well. For instance, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival is one of the world's largest Shakespeare theaters. Fine art museums, galleries, and collections showcase great works. If you enjoy live concerts, dance, or other performances you'll find those, too. Some smaller towns also have cultural venues, with visual arts often emphasizing local folk arts and crafts.
Historic sites and museums can be found all over Alabama. Whether your interest is in Native American history, the Civil War, or Civil Rights, you'll find many places to choose from. And if Helen Keller's story has found a special place in your heart, you'll want to visit her birthplace; if you visit in June, you can also attend the annual Helen Keller Festival or see a performance of The Miracle Worker. To travel back in time, you can take a flight on a restored 1928 biplane or ride a historic train through the forest.
Of course, Alabama's gorgeous lands, rivers, and coast make outdoor pursuits one of the best reasons to visit. Excellent hiking trails abound, even in the middle of Birmingham. The mountains offer the perfect place for rock climbing, rappelling, mountain biking, and scenic drives. There's even a ski resort with man-made snow. Throughout Alabama, all sorts of water activities can be enjoyed, from scuba diving in the Gulf to canoeing to fishing. Birdwatchers will find a number of good spots, including birding trails and wildlife refuges. Horseback riding, exploring caves, and skydiving are just a few of the other ways to have fun in Alabama. And if golf is your thing, there are lots of places to practice your swing.
While this state is truly a natural paradise, you'll find many other interesting things to do, too. Follow in the footsteps of de Soto and explore Alabama.
