Atlanta Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Atlanta

Atlanta is a city that balances southern traditions with sleek modernism. In Atlanta, the peach trees are plentiful and the tea is sweet, yet this city boasts three skylines and the world’s busiest airport. Atlanta has been burnt to the ground and built back up; it has seen the horrors of war and felt the pain of droughts and floods. Atlanta knows rebirth and endurance though, perhaps better than any other city. Atlanta was host to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, gave birth to the greatest figure of the civil rights movement, is the beloved capital of the state of Georgia, and has become the enduring leader of the American South. Atlanta, Georgia is a beautiful, bustling, historical city that sits amid gently rolling hills and shady tree-lined streets.

With picture-perfect neighborhoods, a mild climate (albeit humid in the summer), an impressive skyline, steady economic growth, and some of the best restaurants and shopping malls in the country, there's plenty here to entice the tourist

Atlanta is also known for its flourishing arts scene with a well-regarded symphony, several major art and science museums, opera, jazz, theater, and an outstanding ballet company.

Atlanta attractions comprise an illustrious mix of historical sites, world-class museums, modern landmarks, parks and gardens and more.

Now the largest city in the Southeast, Atlanta played a significant role not only in the Civil War, but also in the subsequent social and political development of the entire United States. Today, numerous historical museums and monuments scattered throughout the city offer visitors a peek into Atlanta's past and rapid coming of age.

As interesting as Atlanta's heritage is, being a city always on the cutting edge of industrial evolution, Atlanta's contemporary amenities are equally as enticing. Whether it's a visit to the house of author Margaret Mitchell (Gone With The Wind), a tranquil stroll through the Atlanta Botanical Gardens or an intriguing tour through the CNN Centre, Atlanta's attractions are diverse, distinctive and enjoyed by all ages.

In almost every part of Atlanta, you can find interesting neighborhood nightclubs and bars featuring a wide variety of entertainments. The Grant Park area has a range of venues catering to crowds from country and western fans to rockers. Zoo Atlanta and the Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum are also located in the Grant Park area. The Cyclorama, a 42 feet-high 360-degree painting of the battle of Atlanta, has been on public display since 1898. The Museum is next to the zoo and opens daily from 9:30 AM until 4:30 PM and is popular amongst tourists.

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Population: 295.734.100
Languages: English 82%, Spanish 11% (2000)
Currency: US dollar
Currency code: USD
Local Times:
U.S.A. - District of Columbia - Washington DC

U.S.A. - Florida - Orlando

U.S.A. - California - San Francisco

U.S.A. - New York - New York

U.S.A. - Nevada - Las Vegas

Country Dialling Code: +1
Voltage: 120V 60Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 parallel flat prongs

2 Parallel flat prongs with an earth connector

The USA is home to several of the world's most exciting cities, some truly mind-blowing landscapes, a strong sense of regionalism, a trenchant mythology, more history than the country gives itself credit for and, arguably, some of the most approachable natives in the world.

America was 'discovered' by Columbus in 1492 and for 500 years people have travelled here seeking a better life in the 'land of opportunity'. The land was fought over by colonial powers for centuries and finally won its independence from Britain in 1783. Despite the near annihilation of the Native American population, one of the bloodiest civil wars the world had seen, and racism (Native Americans were not granted citizenship until 1924 and racial segregation was the norm until as late as the 1950s), the American people have succeeded in forging one of the worlds most united, democratic and tolerant nations, a fascinating melting-pot of cultures, and the undisputed military and economic heavyweight of the world.

The country is made up of 48 contiguous states of the continental USA, plus the huge state of Alaska, northwest of Canada, and the volcanic islands of Hawaii, 2,000 miles (3,219km) out into the Pacific. There are also the US territories, which include Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Midway Islands and US Virgin Islands. Tourism is focused mainly in the great cities such as New York and Washington, as well as sunshine states such as Florida, California and Hawaii. However the mind-blowing landscapes, found in the wealth of magnificent National Parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Adirondacks, as well as spectacular sights like the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains, are what make the USA so unique. With all this on their doorstep, it's easy to understand why a significant proportion of Americans have never bothered getting a passport.

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Atlanta Travel Guide

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