Atlanta 2013

Atlanta is the capital of, and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia.  Atlanta was established in 1837 at the intersection of two railroad lines, and the city rose from the ashes of the Civil War to become a national center of commerce. In the decades following the Civil Rights Movement, during which the city earned a reputation as "too busy to hate" for the progressive views of its citizens and leaders, Atlanta attained international prominence. Atlanta is the primary transportation hub of the Southeastern United States via highway, railroad and air, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport being one of the world’s busiest airports since 1998.

Atlanta is considered an "alpha-world city”, and with a gross domestic product of $270 billion, Atlanta's economy ranks 15th among world cities and sixth in the nation. Although Atlanta’s economy is considered diverse, dominant sectors include logistics, professional and business services, media operations, and information technology. Topographically, Atlanta is marked by rolling hills and dense tree coverage. Revitalization of Atlanta's neighborhoods, initially spurred by the 1996 Olympics, has intensified in the 21st century, altering the city's demographics, politics and culture.

During my visit to Atlanta, I was reminded of the hustle and bustle of the people and the way everyone supports each other in business. And although Atlanta is too hilly for my taste, I still managed to maneuver around and get to where I needed to go. Some of my visits included the Georgia Aquarium, Martin Luther King, Jr's National Historic site, Jimmy Carter Presidential Center, World of Coca-Cola, Centennial Olympic Park, CNN Center, Turner Field and other historic and landmark sites.