Georgia was founded in 1733 by British voyagers who first established settlement near Savannah River. Georgia, named after England's King George II, was to be the last of the thirteen original British colonies.

Modern Georgia remains to be one of the fastest growing states in the nation. It is commonly called 'Empire State of the South' - a take on Georgia's pursuits in industrial and economic development in the region. Georgia is the acknowledged commercial leader and transportation center of the southeast, even gained further important worldwide status when Atlanta – its capital, served host to the 1996 Summer Olympics. And where it all started, Savannah has been hailed "this nation's most beautiful city."

When West Virginia seceded from Virginia during the Civil War, Georgia became the largest state, in land area, east of the Mississippi River. The Blue Ridge Mountains, a mountain range in the mountain system of the Appalachians lies north of Georgia.

Even before the California Gold Rush, Georgia's mountains accommodated the first Gold Rush in Dahlonega in 1828 – still celebrated today at Dahlonega's Consolidated Gold Mines and Villa Rica's Gold Rush Festival. Other famous Georgia festivals include Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay, for a sampling of fresh apple cider, and the Mountain Harvest Festival in Toccoa, for folk art enthusiasts.

Georgia is also best recognized for its celebrated state song, "Georgia on My Mind" sang by Georgia native Ray Charles - easily one of the most recognized state songs in the country.

Margaret Mitchell wrote her "Gone With the Wind" masterpiece in Georgia.

• The Job Site - Careers with the State of Georgia