100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Alabama (AL) is a state in the southeastern United States, and 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. Alabama’s economy relies on the automotive industry and agriculture, and the Gulf Shores coastline draws visitors. In 1886, the city of Montgomery was among 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 Time zone CST (UTC-6), the state observes daylight saving time CDT (UTC-5) Population 5,024,294 (#24 most populous US state) Area (#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. It was founded in 1819 by merging two towns along the Alabama River, and 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, which had a population of 225,564 in 2023. The second largest is Birmingham with 196,644 residents, and the third is Montgomery with a population of 195,287.
🕒 Time in Alabama
The current time in Alabama is . Most of the state observes Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6), switching to daylight time CDT (UTC-5) from March to November. An exception is the Phenix City area, which typically follows Eastern Standard Time EST (UTC-5) and shifts to daylight time EDT (UTC-4) for part of the year.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Alabama
As of 2023, Alabama has 5,024,294 residents, making it the 24th most populous U.S. state.
📍 Area of Alabama
The area of the state of Alabama is , of which is land and is water. Alabama ranks 30th in size among U.S. states.
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Fun Facts About Alabama
🧩 Which States Border Alabama
Alabama borders four states: to the north is Tennessee, to the east Georgia, to the south Florida, and to the west Mississippi. It also has an 85 km stretch of coastline on the Gulf of Mexico to the south.
📅 Date of Alabama Statehood
Alabama joined the Union on December 14, 1819 as the 22nd state. The state was formed from the former Alabama Territory. The constitutional convention took place in Huntsville, which served as the temporary capital until 1820, when it was replaced by Cahaba.
📛 Alabama State Nickname
Alabama is nicknamed the Yellowhammer State after the northern flicker, a woodpecker. The label dates to the Civil War, when soldiers from Alabama wore insignia that resembled this bird.
You will also see the nickname Heart of Dixie. Dixie or Dixieland refers to the southern U.S. states. A third nickname, the Cotton State, reflects the fact that Alabama was once among the largest cotton producers.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Alabama
The highest mountain in Alabama is Cheaha Mountain, with a summit elevation of . The peak lies in Cheaha State Park near the town of Delta.
🏞️ Rivers in Alabama
The longest river in Alabama is the Tennessee River, with a total length of . It is followed by the Chattahoochee River (), the Alabama River (), the Coosa River (), and the Tallapoosa River ().
🎓 Universities in Alabama
The largest in the state is the University of Alabama, founded in 1831 in Tuscaloosa and attended by about 39,000 students. The second largest is Auburn University with approximately 30,000 students, and third is the University of Alabama at Birmingham with around 22,000 students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Alabama
Alabama is assigned U.S. ZIP code ranges 350xx-352xx and 354xx-369xx. You can look up a ZIP code for a specific address on the USPS website.
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Weather in Alabama
The best time to visit Alabama is in the fall, when temperatures are pleasant and the weather is relatively dry. Alabama lies in a subtropical climate zone, and the north of the state is cooler than the south.
Spring in Alabama brings temperatures around to , with frequent thunderstorms and rain. Some parts of the state have a relatively high tornado risk.
Summer in Alabama is humid and hot, with average temperatures around to . Thunderstorms are common and can bring strong winds and heavy downpours. High humidity can be uncomfortable, especially in lowlands and along the coast.
Fall in Alabama brings a gradual cool-down, with temperatures usually ranging from to . Leaves change color and invite visitors to explore the outdoors.
Winter in Alabama is mild, with temperatures usually between and . Snow showers are fairly rare, but heavy rain is common, especially in the northern part of the state.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Alabama
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What to See in Alabama
1️⃣ USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Visitors can tour the battleship USS Alabama and the submarine USS Drum. If military history is your thing, you will enjoy this attraction in the city of Mobile.
2️⃣ Huntsville Space and Rocket Center
You can spot this space museum from afar thanks to its large spacecraft. Inside, interactive exhibits, a flight simulator, and historic rockets keep you busy, and you can even see a real moon rock. The attraction works well for the whole family.
3️⃣ Gulf State Park
Gulf State Park promises a calmer kind of fun compared with the tips above. You can stroll the beach along the lake or take one of the hiking trails. The park has several campgrounds, so you can plan an overnight stay.
4️⃣ Birmingham Museum of Art
Art lovers may enjoy this museum in Birmingham, which houses about 25,000 works. The collection is broad and spans from antiquity to the present.
5️⃣ Cheaha State Park
Cheaha State Park is home to Alabama’s highest peak, Cheaha Mountain at . Take in sweeping views of the surroundings, and pair them with a picnic and a walk on a marked trail.
6️⃣ Talladega Superspeedway
If you enjoy motorsports and NASCAR, you probably know the Talladega Superspeedway. The complex includes a museum and offers track tours.
7️⃣ Cathedral Caverns State Park
Cathedral Caverns State Park features caves full of massive stalagmites that you can visit with a guide. It is cool inside the cave complex, so a tour is a pleasant break on a hot summer day.
8️⃣ McWane Science Center
This science museum is full of interactive exhibits that appeal to kids of all ages. If you are traveling the U.S. with children and the weather is not great for outdoor activities, the McWane Science Center can fill an entire day.
9️⃣ Little River Canyon National Preserve
If you like waterfalls, you will enjoy Little River Canyon National Preserve. Beyond the falls, you can tackle a hiking trail, and when your legs are tired, hop in the car and drive the scenic road.
🔟 Birmingham Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo is home to a wide range of exotic animals. Some pavilions are interactive, and feeding the giraffes is a highlight.
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Largest Cities in Alabama
The table lists the ten largest cities in the State of Alabama in 2023. The data source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary mission is to conduct the census.
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
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
Alabama has no team in the NHL.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
No team from Alabama plays in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
Alabama has no NBA team.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
Alabama has no MLB team.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
Alabama has no team in MLS.
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Alabama State Symbols
The State of Alabama has more than forty different symbols; only some of them are listed here.
State Flag of Alabama
A simple white flag with a red St. Andrew’s cross has been used since February 16, 1895. On ceremonial occasions, the governor’s flag is used, which adds the state coat of arms and a 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 Governor Frank M. Dixon, the round seal with a map of Alabama returned to official use.
State Bible
The oldest state symbol is the Alabama State Bible from 1853. It is on permanent display in a museum in Montgomery.
State Rock
Marble has been the official state rock since 1969. Its mining has a long tradition, for example in Talladega County.
State Flower
Since 1959 the state flower has been the common camellia (Camellia japonica), which grows throughout the state. Greenville is even nicknamed the Camellia City, and several other towns in the United States share similar nicknames.
State Nut
In 1982 the pecan was designated the state nut. It is grown mainly in southern parts of Alabama.
State Fruit
In 2004 the blackberry was added to Alabama’s official symbols as the state fruit.
State Reptile
The official state reptile is the Alabama red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis). Females grow up to long and live in the Mobile River delta in southern Alabama. It became a state symbol in 1990.
State Bird
Alabama’s state bird since 1927 is the northern flicker (Colaptes auratus), which averages in length. The northern flicker is commonly known by its nickname, the yellowhammer.
State Mammal
A state mammal was added in 2006: the American black bear (Ursus americanus), with a smaller population found in southern and central Alabama. An average adult male weighs .
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