Nicknamed the "Yellowhammer State" or "Cotton State", Alabama is located in the Southern region of the USA. The capital of Alabama is Montgomery and the largest city is Birmingham. The international airports in the state are the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International and Huntsville International.
The name of the state comes from a Muskogean Native American tribe that lived in the area before the Europeans invaded this land. In the city of Moundville, one can see the remnants of the Burial Mound Period (1000BC – 799AD). Later, after the colonial settlers arrived with slaves, Alabama was known for its cotton plantation owners who built their wealth on the suffering of enslaved African Americans who were forcibly traded for money.
Despite its history of slavery and ignorance of human values, Alabama is a beautiful state geographically with a large number of creeks, streams, lakes, rivers and mountains. The climate is temperate with very hot summers, mild winters and large amounts of rainfall. This state gets its share of hurricanes which also bring tropical storms, tornadoes and thunderstorms in its wake. In spite of all these disturbances, visitors can enjoy this state through the year.
Alabama’s beaches make it easy and affordable for families to enjoy while, sandy beaches, swimming and beachcombing. Visitors can also fish, scuba dive, see dolphins and turtles as well as water birds along the Gulf Coast. Learn the history of Alabama from the early Native American era through the Civil Right’s movement to the present at the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery (624 Washington Ave, AL 36104).
Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement. Dr Martin Luther King served as a minister and took part in the bus boycott that boosted the Civil right’s movement to the next stage. Montgomery has its share of gardens and historic homes in the Gardens District, three downtown streets that are filled with the magnificent and historic homes, some in Greek revival, neoclassical and bungalow style architecture.
For the children in the group, do not forget to visit the Montgomery Zoo with is coyotes, bears, chimps and exotic birds among over eight hundred species of animals. Do not miss the Library and Museum dedicated to Rosa Parks who refused to sit in the back of the bus as ordered by the white bus driver and started the Civil Rights Movement.
Another inspiring place to visit is the Civil Rights District on 16th Street – AL 35203). This district comprises of several attractions including Kelly Ingram Park, Civil Rights Museum, Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and Carver Theater.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (520 16th St North – AL 35203) consists of many galleries which take us through the time of segregation and ignorance. It has multimedia exhibitions and narrations of important events that took place and doubles as a research center on human rights issues in the world.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a serene, beautiful place of nature where we can find roses, wildflowers, irises and other breathtaking flowers thrive in their natural settings. There is also a Japanese garden that includes a teahouse and also encloses the largest greenhouse in the Southeast.
