5 Fun Facts About Atlanta

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:

In this article, we’ll cover five fun facts about Atlanta that you probably didn’t know.

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.