History of Atlanta, GA

Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. Georgia. With an estimated 2019 population of 506,811, and the 37th most populous city in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, home to more than six million people and the ninth largest city in the nation. Atlanta is the seat of Fulton County, Georgia's most populous state. Parts of the city extend eastward to neighboring DeKalb County. The city is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and is the highest point between the major cities east of the Mississippi River.

Atlanta was originally established as a state-sponsored major railway depot. With rapid growth, however, it soon became a meeting place for many railways, which encouraged its rapid growth. The name of the city is derived from that of the local West Atlantic depot, reflecting the city's growing reputation as a transport hub. During the American Civil War, the city was nearly burned to the ground by General William T. Sherman at sea. However, the city rose from its ashes and soon became a national trading center with the illegal capital of "New South". During the 1950s and 1960s, Atlanta became a major organizational center for the civil rights movement, with Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph David Abernathy, and many other local people playing a key role in the organization's leadership. At present, Atlanta has gained international prominence as a major air travel hub, Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been the busiest airport in the world by passenger road since 1998.