Georgia is one of the southeastern United States' most populous states at approximately 9.8 million residents. More than half of Georgia's population comes from Atlanta's metropolitan statistical area. Most of Georgia's largest cities are in the state's southern area, which offers warm temperatures year-round. Georgia's major cities are on the Chattahoochee River -- Atlanta and Columbus -- and the Savannah River -- Augusta-Richmond County and Savannah.
The largest and capital city of Georgia is Atlanta, located in the north central region of the state. According to the Atlanta census, the population of Atlanta proper is 540,000, while the Atlanta metropolitan statistical area (MSA) -- which covers 28 counties -- is home to about 5.5 million residents. Due to the lack of natural boundaries, Atlanta's metropolitan area has a square-mileage of 8,480. The average age of Atlanta's population is 34 as of March 2011. Atlanta's attractions include the CNN Studio tour, Georgia Aquarium, Georgia State Capital Building and the Coca Cola Museum.
The 2010 U.S. Census included Richmond County with the Augusta population, making the city the second-largest municipality in Georgia at 189,366 residents. Augusta-Richmond County's metropolitan statistical area has more than 540,000 residents, making it the second-largest MSA in Georgia. The predominant demographic in Augusta are African-Americans, which make up 50 percent of the city's population. Attractions in Augusta include the Augusta National Golf Club -- home of the PGA Masters Tournament -- the National Science Center and Riverwalk Augusta Park on the Savannah River.
Columbus is on the edge of the Georgia-Alabama border in western Georgia. This city is Georgia's third-largest city at about 186,000 residents. The city's metropolitan statistical area has approximately 287,650 residents; this area includes four counties in Georgia and Russel County, Alabama. Columbus' trade area, which includes 16 counties, is more than 625,000 people. This city is on the banks of the Chattahoochee River. Some of Columbus's attractions are the Springer Opera House, National Civil War Naval Museum, Fort Benning and Chattahoochee RiverWalk, a 15-mile trail connecting downtown Columbus and Fort Benning.
Situated near Georgia's Atlantic Ocean, Savannah is the state's fourth-largest city with more than 130,500 residents. However, Savannah has the third-largest metropolitan statistical area in Georgia, home to 343,000 people in three counties: Bryan, Chatham and Effingham. The median age of Savannah's residents is 32. According to CNN Money, Savannah is one of the best places in the United States to retire. The city's Old Town District features restaurants and boutique shops near the Savannah River, which flows past the northern end of Savannah. Savannah also features the Victorian District, an area of town with 19th Century homes and mansions. Most of the mansions surround Savannah's Forsyth Park.
