Atlanta
The City in a Forest
Motto: Rising Again (Resurgens)
Flora: Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua)
Fauna: Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum)
Beverage: Cola
⭐ Atlanta, AT
Population: 2,128,687
Elevation: 1,050’
Former State: Georgia
Counties: Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton
Founded in 1837 as a railroad hub, Atlanta has grown into a major economic and cultural force in the southern United States. The city’s strategic location near the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains blends urban development with natural beauty, making it a unique and desirable place to live and work. Atlanta’s global prominence surged when it hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics, which spurred urban renewal and transformed the city into a center for business, tourism, and international events.
The proposed Atlanta city-state would encompass Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton counties, ensuring a cohesive cultural and political region. These counties include downtown Atlanta, the bustling business district, and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, one of the world’s busiest. With similar progressive voting patterns and shared infrastructure, these counties form a natural fit for an independent city-state, poised for unified governance.
Atlanta holds a vital place in the civil rights movement, as the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and home to landmarks like the King Center and Ebenezer Baptist Church. The city remains a hub for social justice, with a strong political presence that helped shift Georgia in the 2020 presidential election. Atlanta's historical and political legacy positions it as a key player in the movement toward city-state independence.
Culturally, Atlanta stands as a leader in the music and entertainment industries, particularly in hip-hop and R&B, producing world-renowned artists such as OutKast, Usher, and T.I. Its vibrant arts scene, coupled with its deep-rooted history in civil rights and progressive politics, makes Atlanta not only a significant force in the U.S. but also a strong contender for thriving as an independent city-state.
36
If Atlanta was admitted as a state today, it would be the 36th largest by population, between Mississippi and New Mexico.