Alabama

From the rolling mountains of the north to the pristine Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama is a state with natural beauty all its own. Since it was first settled, Alabama has largely been a rural, agricultural state due to its mild

growing season – and agriculture is still a major part of its economy. However, Alabama has also emerged as one of the nation’s major producers of cast iron and steel, and it’s also home to one of the country’s main aerospace technology hubs in Huntsville. (Alabama workers built the first rocket to put a man on the moon.)

While Montgomery serves as the state capital, the largest city is Birmingham, with a combined metro population of more than 1 million people, also serving as a major hub for industry, business, and finance for the region. At the southern tip of the state along Mobile Bay, the city of Mobile is a significant port city, industrial center, and shipyard, as well as serving as a major tourist destination. It’s also one of the oldest cities in Alabama, having first been settled by French explorers in 1702 – along with having the longest-running annual Mardi Gras celebration in the United States.

Alabama is known across the country for its Southern hospitality and relaxed lifestyle, as well as its love for college football. With major universities that include Auburn University, Jacksonville State University, and the University of Alabama, residents of the state have many great teams to root for – and a few friendly rivalries, as well!