Augusta (Georgia)

The region of what later was to become Augusta, was inhabited by indigenous people, who used the location to cross the river. Augusta grew from an old river trading post that existed as early as 1717. It was named in honor of Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, who was the mother of then British monarch George III. In 1736, a fort was built there.

During the American Revolution, Augusta changed hands several times and was finally taken by Continental forces under Andrew Pickens and Light-Horse Harry Lee in 1781. It served as the capital of Georgia from 1785 to 1795. Augusta expanded rapidly with the tobacco and cotton industries.

By 1820 the city had become an important trade terminus and eight years later, manufacturing started with the opening of Augusta's first textile plant. During the Civil War, Augusta housed the largest Confederate powderworks.

Augusta is located at the end of the navigable part of the Savannah River.

Augusta includes 10 historic disctricts, of which the Augusta Downtown Historic District encompases the city's pre-Civil War area. The district features countless historic buildings and places of interest.

Augusta is an important trade center for a broad band of counties in Georgia and South Carolina, known as the Central Savannah River Area. It is also an important industrial center, where textiles, chemicals, building materials, medical supplies and tools, as well as wood, paper, metal and plastic products are manufactured. The city is the headquarters of the Augusta National Golf Club and sponsors the annual Masters Tournament.

There are numerous hotels and restaurants in Augusta. The city is on the Savannah River in the east of Georgia, on the border with South Carolina. Across the river, in South Carolina, is the city of North Augusta. Augusta is 220 km southeast from Atlanta.