Alabama is an American state located in the southeast region of the United States. It is limited to the north with Tennessee, south with the Gulf of Mexico and Florida, east with Georgia and west with Mississippi. The state capital is Montgomery, and the largest city, Birmingham.
The Alabama region was initially dominated by the French until 1763, when it came under British control. Later, in 1783, the territory was annexed by the Americans, who elevated Alabama to the status of a state in 1819. In 1861, it was part of the Confederate States of America, having fought during the American Civil War against the other States of the Union. After the defeat of the Confederates, Alabama was readmitted to the Union in June 1868.
With a region the size of the Iberian Peninsula, Alabama has about 65% of its territory covered by forests. The state is rich in mineral resources, such as bauxite and magnesium, for example. Its climate is temperate, with average temperatures of 26ºC in summer and 7ºC in winter.
Alabama's economy is based, in descending order of importance, on industry, commerce, and the service sector. Its oil, coal and natural gas reserves provide good conditions for the development of the steel industry. The main goods produced in the state are clothing, paper, rubber and plastic products. Tourism is also another significant source of income for it.
The State of Alabama has a growth of 8.1% in relation to its population in 1990, which is a clear consequence of the strong immigration, mainly from Latin Americans.
