The Chattahoochee River starts high in Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains and flows toward southeast Alabama. The river continues to flow southward toward the state of Florida, where it is called the Apalachicola. This major water feature also has historical significance. According to the National Park Service, the term Chattahoochee comes from the Cherokee language and means "painted rock." Visit the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and enjoy activities like fishing, canoeing, tubing and boating.
Lake Sidney Lanier is in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The lake has more than 100 small islands, and has a shoreline that spans over 690 miles. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer, more than 7.5 million people visit the lake each year for its impressive scenery, diverse wildlife and many recreational opportunities. Visit one of the 46 park areas surrounding the lake and enjoy boating, camping, swimming and picnicking.
The Atlantic Ocean defines the southeastern border of Georgia. Visit islands such as Tybee, St. Simons, Jekyll, Sea Island and Little St. Simons to enjoy the sandy beaches of the Atlantic. Anglers can pursue a variety species, such as tarpon, shrimp, redfish, sea trout and flounder. Other coastal features include the Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge has 340 acres of sandy beach and provides protection and wintering habitat for many animals, including threatened species.
As one of the state's largest waterways, the Savannah River delineates most of the boundary that divides Georgia and South Carolina. The river originates in eastern Georgia and encompasses a total of 10,577 square miles. There are 5,821 square miles in eastern Georgia, 175 square miles in southwestern North Carolina and 4,581 square miles in western South Carolina.
A major Georgia water feature you cannot miss is the 438,000-acre Okefenokee Swamp. Visit the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and explore swamp habitats of cypress forests, upland islands and open lakes. The refuge is home to a variety of wildlife species, including alligators, black bears and songbirds. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Okefenokee Swamp is globally recognized for its amphibian populations and is also one of the world's biggest intact freshwater ecosystems. The United Nations designated the swamp as a Wetland of International Importance under the 1971 Ramsar Convention.
