Ranking as the ninth largest city in the Southeastern United States, the metro Atlanta area is home to 6,144,050 residents across 242 distinct neighborhoods. The vibrant city has been the backdrop to many cultural movements throughout the country’s history and continues to be a top relocation spot for citizens worldwide.
With so much history and culture woven through its foundation, there are many things Atlantans and visitors may not know about our growing city. KNOWAtlanta Relocation Magazine compiled 10 interesting facts that might surprise you about the Peach State’s capital.
City in a Forest
One fact that may shock several longtime residents of the hopping metro area is the sheer number of trees scattered throughout the city. According to the National Forest Service, Atlanta is “the most heavily forested urban area in the country.” Over 47.9% of the city is covered in trees, painting the southern city green and offering residents and visitors plenty of opportunities to connect with nature.
Peachtree is a Common Name
Atlantan locals are very familiar with the word Peachtree. While there is only one Peachtree Street, the city contains over 71 roads with the word Peachtree incorporated into its name. From Peachtree Avenue, Peachtree Plaza and more, the term has become synonymous with the city despite the absence of peach trees! Peachtree comes from the old nickname “pitch tree,” commonly used to describe the region’s native pine tree. Over time, the two words combined to create Peachtree.
Home to the World’s Busiest Airport
A vacation spot for folks internationally, Atlanta is home to the world’s busiest airport! Servicing around 275,000 passengers daily, the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has held the title for over 21 years. In 2021, the travel hub serviced 75.7 million passengers (ATL.com) in its terminal that spans as wide as 45 football fields. According to ATL.com, the airport conducted more aircraft movement and serviced more passengers than any other airport worldwide.
The New Hollywood
Commonly referred to as the New Hollywood, Atlanta and Georgia are quickly becoming go-to locations for many prominent television and film production companies. Our state’s attractive tax policies and varied landscape offer a world of opportunity for blockbuster stories. With rolling mountains, beaches, canyons, lakes and a hopping metro area, experts can quickly transform our diverse state into some of the world’s most famous destinations. In 2021, the Georgia Department of Economic Development reported a whopping $4 billion in direct spending on production projects in the state.
Avengers: Endgame, Fried Green Tomatoes, Deliverance, My Cousin Vinny, In the Heat of the Night, Remember the Titans and Anchorman 2 are just a few titled produced in Atlanta and Georgia.
Location of the Largest Drive-In Restaurant
Think Atlanta is already an exciting place to live? The city is also home to the world’s largest and busiest drive-in restaurant! Daily, The Varsity serves two miles of hot dogs, over 300 gallons of chili and 2,500 pounds of potatoes. Truly experiencing the Atlanta food scene begins at The Varsity.
Birthplace of Coca-Cola
In 1886, pharmacist John S. Pemberton sat down and concocted what would become the world’s most famous and preferred soda. Initially intended for medicinal purposes, the world-famous soft drink was invented in our city and still calls Atlanta home today. Locals and tourists regularly flock to the World of Coca-Cola at the city’s center to peruse the company’s history and sample its global product selection.
Why the Name Atlanta?
The name Atlanta was chosen by Governor Wilson Lumpkin after his daughter’s middle name, Atalanta, inspired by the Greek myth. The title translates to secure and unmovable. Other common nicknames include City in a Forest, Empire City of the South and Dogwood City.
Big Business Lives Here
Atlanta is a big name in business, regularly attracting several well-known companies internationally. Home to 19 Fortune 500 companies and 34 Fortune 1000 businesses, our city is renowned for its business-friendly atmosphere. Prominent names such as Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, Inc., The Southern Company, WestRock, Intercontinental Exchange and more settled their base operations in the heart of our city. Click here to discover more impressive big business moves.
Learn more exciting facts about Atlanta by visiting the About ATL page! Receive your FREE copy of our relocation magazine today to stay in the KNOW about upcoming new construction communities, Atlanta education, events and more.
