Atlanta is home to the world’s busiest airport, with over 275,000 passengers per day. It is a major hub to pass through on your way to a teen service trip in the US.
Here are some key facts about Atlanta, Georgia:
| Key Facts About Atlanta | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1837 |
| State Capital Since | 1868 |
| Major Universities | Georgia Tech, Emory University, Georgia State University |
| Population | ~500,000 (city), ~6 million (metro area) |
| Tallest Building | Bank of America Plaza (1,023 ft) |
In this article, we’ll cover five fun facts about Atlanta that you probably didn’t know.
5 Fun Facts About Atlanta
- Atlanta was originally a transit hub in the Southeastern United States, and it still is
- Atlanta became the Hollywood of the South through creating a market for tax incentives
- Beyond film and tv, Atlanta is a city of the arts
- Atlanta birthed the Civil Rights Movement
- Several professional sports teams call Atlanta home
1. Atlanta was originally a rail transit hub in the Southeastern United States. Now it’s an air transit hub
Atlanta was known as Terminus, denoting the southern end of the Western and Atlantic Railroad. The town adopted the name Marthasville in 1843 to honor the Georgia Governor’s daughter.
In 1845, the city was renamed Atlanta, referencing the Western and Atlantic Railroad that created the settlement.
The self-proclaimed capital of the South, Atlanta is major hub as a global transportation center. Core to that is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the world and a three-hour flight from most major American cities.
2. Atlanta became the Hollywood of the South through creating a market for tax incentives
Georgia passed Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act (“GEIIA”) in 2008 that launched a tax credit program wherein productions that spend over $500,000 in a year can have 20-30% of their costs reimbursed.
Through this act, film and television production in the Atlanta are surged, although it helps that the city has more affordable production costs than New York or Los Angeles, easy access to singular major global airport and a moderate climate.
Georgia lawmakers are seeking to limit the state’s generous film tax credit program, which has made the state a hub for major productions like The Hunger Games, Marvel movies, the Fast and Furious Franchise, and The Walking Dead.
3. Beyond film and tv, Atlanta is a city of the arts
In 1926, the Atlanta Historical Society established its first museum in a single room downtown. By 2016, the Atlanta History Center expanded to a 33-acre campus containing the world’s largest American Civil War artifact collection across 9 exhibition galleries.
The Georgia State Capitol, completed in 1889 at a cost of $1 million, houses 4 floors of museum exhibits including Civil War battle flags, Creek Indian artifacts, and Georgia’s original 1788 state charter. The building’s gold dome contains 43 ounces of Dahlonega gold from Georgia’s first gold rush.
The Atlanta Street Art Map highlights numerous vibrant artworks created by local and international artists.
>> Learn more: While Atlanta is the “Hollywood of the South,” Nashville is the “Music City.”
Ponce City Market in Atlanta
4. Atlanta birthed the Civil Rights Movement
Atlanta holds a key role in African American history. It is known as the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader of the American Civil Rights Movement.
The city was a major hub for campaigns like the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Birmingham Campaign, and the March on Washington. The King Center and Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Park stand in King’s honor.
King Center
- Address: 449 Auburn Avenue, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30312
- Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM
National Historical Park
- Address: 450 Auburn Avenue, NE Atlanta, GA 30312
- Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM, closed major holidays
5. Several professional sports teams call Atlanta home
Atlanta is a major city with a rich history for professional sports. Below are the teams that call the Atlanta area home.
| Team Name | Sport | League | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Braves | Baseball | Major League Baseball (MLB) | 1871 |
| Atlanta Hawks | Basketball | National Basketball Association (NBA) | 1946 |
| Atlanta Falcons | Football | National Football League (NFL) | 1965 |
| Atlanta Gladiators | Ice Hockey | ECHL | 2003 |
| Atlanta Dream | Basketball | Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) | 2008 |
| Gwinnett Stripers | Baseball | Triple-A East | 2009 |
| Atlanta United FC | Soccer | Major League Soccer (MLS) | 2014 |
| Atlanta Rhinos | Rugby League | North American Rugby League | 2014 |
| Georgia Swarm | Lacrosse | National Lacrosse League (NLL) | 2015 |
| Atlanta Reign | Esports | Overwatch League | 2018 |
| Atlanta United 2 | Soccer | MLS Next Pro | 2018 |
| College Park Skyhawks | Basketball | NBA G League | 2019 |
| Atlanta FaZe | Esports | Call of Duty League | 2019 |
| Rugby ATL | Rugby Union | Major League Rugby (MLR) | 2020 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get around Atlanta without a car?
Yes! While Atlanta is known for being a “car city,” you can get around without one using ride-share apps like Uber and Lyft, public transportation (MARTA), and by staying in walkable in-town neighborhoods.
How is Atlanta’s public transportation?
Atlanta’s MARTA system includes buses and trains that make getting around the city easy. To ride, purchase a “Breeze Card” at MARTA stations or online if planning in advance.
Is Atlanta traffic really that bad?
Traffic can be rough during rush hours (7–10 am and 4–6 pm), especially on highways. Outside of those times, driving is manageable.
References:
- The King Center: https://thekingcenter.org/
- AP: Georgia is spending more than $1 billion subsidizing moviemaking. Lawmakers want some limits
- Atlanta History Center: Atlanta History Center
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: Atlanta Airport Official Website
- Georgia Aquarium: Georgia Aquarium
- Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
- Atlanta Beltline: Atlanta Beltline
- Ponce City Market: Ponce City Market