Alabama

For other uses, see Alabama (disambiguation).

Alabama is a state located in the southern United States.

The USS Alabama and CSS Alabama were named in honor of this state.

History

Main article: History of Alabama

Among Native American people once living in present Alabama were Alabama (Alibamu), Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Koasati, and Mobile.

Alabama was once a region claimed by the Spaniards as part of Florida. The English also claimed it as part of the province of Carolina. Nevertheless, when the French took over Louisiana they also took over the territory including Alabama. Later when the United States acquired the Louisiana Purchase and the Mississippi Territory, there was much controversy as to whether or not Alabama was included. Nevertheless, Alabama became the 22nd state in 1819.

The state of Alabama seceded from the Union and became a Confederate state on January 11, 1861. While not many battles were fought in the state, it contributed about 120,000 soldiers to the Civil War. After the war a provisional government was set up in 1865 and Alabama was readmitted to the Union in June 1868.

Law and government

Main article: Law and Government of Alabama

The current governor of the state is Bob Riley and the two U.S. senators are Jefferson B. Sessions III and Richard C. Shelby (all three from the Republican Party). The current Alabama Constitution was adopted in 1901.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Alabama

Alabama is the 30^th largest state in the United States with 135,765 km² (52,419 mi²) of total area. 3.2% of that is water, making Alabama 23^rd in the amount of surface water. About three-fifths of the land area is a gentle plain with a general incline towards the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. Alabama generally ranges in elevation from sea level at Mobile Bay, to a little more than 1800 feet or 550 meters near the Georgia state line. The highest point is Mount Cheaha.

Economy

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the 2003 total gross state product was $132 billion. The per capita income for the state was $26,505 in 2003. Alabama's agricultural outputs are poultry and eggs, cattle, nursery stock, peanuts, cotton, vegetables, milk, and soybeans. Its industrial outputs are paper, lumber and wood products, mining, rubber and plastic products, transportation equipment and apparel.

Demographics

• Population

The U.S. Census Bureau reports Alabama's 2000 population as 4,447,100, and estimates its 2003 population as 4,500,752.

• Race and Sex

Alabama's population is:

-70.1% White

-26.0% Black

-1.7% Hispanic

-0.7% Asian

-0.5% American Indian

-1.0% mixed race

-51.7% female

-48.3% male

• Ethnicity

The five largest ancestry groups are:

-26.0% African American

-17.0% American

-7.8% English

-7.7% Irish

-5.7% German

• Rankings

Among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Alabama ranks:

-32nd in its percentage of Whites

-7th in its percentage of Blacks

-43rd in its percentage of Hispanics

-44th in its percentage of Asians

-26th in its percentage of American Indians

-48th in its percentage of people of mixed race

-47th in its percentage of males

-5th in its percentage of females

• Religion

Alabama is overwhelmingly Protestant. The religious affiliations of the people of Alabama are as follows:

-88% Protestant

-5% Roman Catholic

-1% Other Christian

-0% Other Religions

-4% Non-Religious

The three largest Protestant denominations in Alabama are: Baptist (51% of the total state population), Methodist (10%), Churches of Christ (3%).

• Language

As of 2000, 96.7% of Alabama residents age 5 and older speak English at home and 2.2% speak Spanish. German speakers make up only 0.4% of the population, French/French Creole at 0.3%, and Chinese at 0.1%.

Important cities and towns

Main article: List of cities in Alabama

Colleges and Universities (incomplete)

Culture and interests

Notes

¹ The phrase The Heart of Dixie is required by state law to be included on all state license plates.