Georgia is a southeastern state, well-known for its peach production, southern hospitality, and being the birthplace of some pretty incredible and influential people.
However, many people have been calling Georgia the Empire State of the South for several years, despite the state having a completely different official nickname.
The state and previous region of Georgia boasted some incredibly deep-seated history since it was initially discovered by British settlers back in the 1730s.
The name that many people called Georgia, and still do to this day, is the Empire State of the South, but why do they refer to Georgia as this?
Well, Georgia was first called the “Empire of the South” during the antebellum period, which took place before the American Civil War had occurred.
During this time period, Georgia had the second-largest landmass out of any other state past the Mississippi River, and due to the abundance of land, they were industrializing at a pretty quick rate.
History Behind The Empire State of the South
New York has been named the “Empire State” since 1830, New York became “Empire State” for the exact same reasons why Georgia became the “Empire State of the South”.
10 years later, in 1840 – because of the state’s large landmass, as well as a huge and diverse population which presented many manufacturing and agricultural opportunities for the region.
After the American Civil War, the union was aware of the economic potential Georgia, and more specifically the city of Atlanta, had, which was very similar to New York – a large state that benefits from the presence of one city within it.
The state is a transportation hub, commerce center, and regional center of gravity.
A popular quote that best describes Georgia and why it was named the Empire State of the South is, “Georgia is the engine that drives the region economically.”
The state of Georgia and the economic opportunities for small businesses and post-civil war industrialization are the foundations of this famous and historic nickname.
Final Thoughts on what is Georgia Known as?
Regardless of such rich historical significance, it is important to note that the official nickname of Georgia is the “Peach State”, not the “Empire State of the South”, and has been since 1995.
The official nickname pays homage to Georgia’s reputation for being one of the nation’s biggest fruit producers, specifically peaches!
However, when you delve deeper into the meaning of why Georgia is the peach state, you will uncover many more reasons for this famous nickname adoption.
In summary, Georgia’s story encompasses the Empire State of the South and the Peach State incredibly well, intertwining the state’s rich history with the flourishing present-day Georgia.
This is a testament to the state’s diverse and ever-vibrant character, which is shaped by the people, both past and present, as well as its impact on the nation’s narrative.
