Alabama (AL) is a state in the southeastern USA, its capital is Montgomery. The state played a significant role during the American Civil War, and it is also known for the civil rights movement. The automotive and agricultural industries are important to Alabama’s economy and tourists are attracted to Gulf Shores. In 1886, the city of Montgomery was one of the first in the United States to introduce an electric streetcar system.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Alabama Abbreviation AL Capital Montgomery Largest city Huntsville (Population: 225 564) Current time 9:36 Time zone CST (UTC-6), the state observes daylight saving time CDT (UTC-5) Population 5,024,294 (#24 most populous US state) Area 52,420 mi² (#30 largest US state) Admitted to the Union December 14, 1819 (#22 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Alabama
The capital of the state of Alabama is Montgomery. Formed in 1819 by the merger of two towns along the Alabama River, it became the capital in 1846. It was named in honor of Richard Montgomery, a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
🏙️ Largest City in Alabama
The largest city in Alabama is Huntsville, with a population of 225,564 as of 2023. The second largest city is Birmingham with a population of 196,644 and the third largest city is Montgomery with a population of 195,287.
🕒 Time in Alabama
The current time in Alabama is 09:36. Most of the state uses Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6), with the exception of the Phenix City area, which generally observes Eastern Standard Time EST (UTC-5) from March to November and transitions to Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) for part of the year.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Alabama
As of 2023, Alabama has a population of 5,024,294, making it the 24th most populous state in the USA.
📍 Area of Alabama
The area of the state of Alabama is 52,420 mi², of which 50,742 mi² is land and 1,677 mi² is water. Alabama is the 30th largest US state.
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Fun Facts About Alabama
🧩 Alabama Neighboring States
Alabama borders a total of four states, Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida to the south and Mississippi to the west. In addition, it has 85 miles of coastline with the Gulf of Mexico to the south.
📅 Date of Alabama Statehood
Alabama joined the Union on December 14, 1819 as the 22nd state in the order. The state was formed from the original Territory of Alabama. The Constitutional Convention was held in Huntsville, which served as the temporary capital until 1820, when it was replaced by Cahaba.
📛 Nickname of the State of Alabama
Alabama is nicknamed the “Yellowhammer State” after the golden woodpecker, a designation dating back to the Civil War when Alabama soldiers wore badges commemorating the bird.
You may also encounter the nickname “Heart of Dixie”. Dixie or Dixieland referred to the southern states of the USA. A third nickname, “Cotton State”, is a reminder that Alabama was one of the largest producers of cotton.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Alabama
The highest mountain in the state of Alabama is Cheaha Mountain with a peak elevation of 2,413 ft. The mountain is located in Cheaha State Park near the town of Delta.
🏞️ Rivers in Alabama
The longest river in Alabama is the Tennessee River with a total flow length of 652 mi. It is followed by the Chattahoochee River (429 mi), the Alabama River (318 mi), the Coosa River (280 mi), and the Tallapoosa River (265 mi).
🎓 Universities in Alabama
The largest in the state is the University of Alabama, which was founded in 1831 in Tuscaloosa and is attended by around 39,000 students. The second largest is Auburn University with around 30 thousand students and the third is the University of Alabama at Birmingham attended by around 22 thousand students.
✉️ Alabama ZIP Codes
Alabama has dedicated ZIP code ranges in of 350xx-352xx and 354xx-369xx. You can look up the ZIP code for a specific address on the USPS website.
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Weather in Alabama
The best time of year to visit Alabama is fall, when temperatures are pleasant and the weather is relatively dry. Alabama lies in a subtropical climate zone, with the north of the state being cooler compared to the south.
Spring in Alabama brings temperatures around 55°F to 68°F, with frequent thunderstorms and rain. There is a relatively high risk of tornadoes in some areas of the state.
Summers in Alabama are humid and hot, with average temperatures ranging from 75°F to 86°F. Thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds and torrential rain are common. Especially in the lowlands and on the coast, high humidity can be uncomfortable.
Autumn in Alabama brings a slight cooling, with temperatures usually ranging from 63°F to 72°F. The leaves on the trees change color and attract visitors to the countryside.
Winters in Alabama are mild, with temperatures usually between 37°F and 50°F. Snow showers are relatively rare, but heavy rain is to be expected, especially in the northern part of the state.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Alabama
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Things to Do in Alabama
1️⃣ USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Visitors can see the battleship USS Alabama and the submarine USS Drum. If you’re interested in military history, you’ll love this attraction in Mobile.
2️⃣ Huntsville Space and Rocket Center
You’ll easily recognize the Space Museum from afar thanks to the large spacecraft. Inside the building, you’ll be entertained by interactive exhibits, a flight simulator, old rockets and you can see a real moon rock. The attraction is suitable for the whole family.
3️⃣ Gulf State Park
Gulf State Park promises a quieter pastime compared to previous picks. You can walk along the beach along the lake or use one of the hiking trails. There are several campsites in the park, and overnight stays can be planned.
4️⃣ Birmingham Museum of Art
Art lovers may be intrigued by the museum in Birmingham, which houses over 25,000 works of art. The collection is quite extensive and covers periods from antiquity to the present day.
5️⃣ Cheaha State Park
Cheaha State Park is home to Alabama’s tallest mountain, 2,413 ft high Cheaha Mountain. When you visit, you can enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding area and combine it with a picnic and a walk along the hiking trail.
6️⃣ Talladega Superspeedway
Anyone who loves motorsports and American NASCAR is probably familiar with Talladega Superspeedway. The track includes a museum and the opportunity to tour the track.
7️⃣ Cathedral Caverns State Park
Cathedral Caverns State Park hides caves full of huge stalagmites, which you can explore with a guide. It’s cold in the cave complex, so you can cool off on a hot summer day with a visit.
8️⃣ McWane Science Center
The Science Museum is full of interactive exhibits that will engage children of all ages. If you’re traveling around the USA with your little ones and the weather doesn’t favor outdoor activities, the McWane Science Center will keep you entertained all day long.
9️⃣ Little River Canyon National Preserve
If you like waterfalls, you’ll love Little River Canyon National Preserve. In addition to these, you can hike the hiking trail and when your feet are sore, hop in the car and drive the scenic road.
🔟 Birmingham Zoo
Birmingham Zoo is home to a number of exotic animals. Some of the pavilions are interactive, with the opportunity to feed the giraffes being a treat.
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Largest Cities in Alabama
The table below shows the ten largest cities in the state of Alabama in 2023, the source of the data is the United States Census Bureau, a federal agency whose main job is to count the population.
City County Population 1 Huntsville Madison, Limestone, Morgan 225,564 Map of Huntsville 2 Birmingham Jefferson, Shelby 196,644 Map of Birmingham 3 Montgomery Montgomery 195,287 Map of Montgomery 4 Mobile Mobile 182,595 Map of Mobile 5 Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa 111,338 Map of Tuscaloosa 6 Hoover Jefferson, Shelby 92,448 Map of Hoover 7 Auburn Lee 82,025 Map of Auburn 8 Dothan Houston, Dale, Henry 71,258 Map of Dothan 9 Madison Madison, Limestone 60,854 Map of Madison 10 Decatur Morgan, Limestone 58,321 Map of Decatur -
Sports Teams in Alabama
🏒 Ice Hockey (NHL)
Alabama is not represented in the National Hockey League (NHL).
🏈 American football (NFL)
No team from Alabama plays in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
There are no teams in Alabama that play in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no team from Alabama in the MLB league.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
There is no team from Alabama in the MLS soccer league.
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Alabama State Symbols
The state of Alabama has more than forty different symbols, this article lists just a few of them.
State Flag of Alabama
A simple white flag with a red St. Andrew’s Cross has been in use since February 16, 1895. The Governor’s Flag is used on holidays and is supplemented by the state emblem and military emblem.
Great Seal of Alabama
The Great Seal of the State of Alabama has been used in its current form since 1939. At the suggestion of then-Governor Frank M. Dixon, the round seal with a map of Alabama returned to use.
State Bible
The oldest symbol of the state is the 1853 Alabama State Bible. It is permanently displayed in a museum in Montgomery.
State Rock
Marble has been considered the official state rock since 1969, and mining has a tradition in Talladega County, for example.
State Flower
Since 1959, the state flower has been the Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica), which grows throughout the state. Greenville is even nicknamed Camellia City, a similar nickname given to several cities in American states.
State Nut
The pecan was voted the state nut in 1982 and is grown mostly in the southern parts of Alabama.
State Fruit
In 2004, the blackberry became one of the symbols of Alabama as the official state fruit.
State Reptile
The official reptile of the state is the Alabama red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis). The female can grow to a length of 36 cm and is found in the Mobile River Delta in southern Alabama. It became one of the state’s symbols in 1990.
State Bird
The state bird of Alabama since 1927 is the northern flicker (Colaptes auratus), which grows to an average size of 32 cm. The golden woodpecker is known by its colloquial name yellowhammer.
State Mammal
A mammal was included among the state’s symbols in 2006; the black bear (Ursus americanus), whose smaller population is found in south-central Alabama, was chosen. The average adult male weighs 300 lb.
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