Augusta is a consolidated city together with Richmond within the State of Georgia. Located along the Savannah River, the Augusta-Richmond region supports roughly 200,000 residents, according to the 2010 census. This number did not comprise the unconsolidated cities of Blythe and Hephzibah.
Augusta is the principal city in the Augusta-Richmond County Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city-county has a population of about 540,000. This total places the city of Augusta as the 2nd largest metro area within the state as well as the 2nd largest city after Atlanta, placing it as the 116th largest city in the United States. Augusta is famous for hosting The Masters Tournament every spring. The city has been called the "Masters City," because of this golf extravaganza even though the official nickname is "The Garden City of the South." It was given this nickname as a reflection of the numerous private gardens located there. Atlanta is also recognized worldwide as being the hometown of James Brown, a soul and funk singer.
The first major golf tournament each and every year is the Masters Tournament, which is held and hosted by the Augusta National Golf Club. This tournament is one of golf's four major championships, making it one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sport. Every year, the best amateur and professional golfers throughout the globe travel to the city of Augusta during the first week of the month of April to participate in the competition. The pristine grounds of the Augusta National course are known for being magnificent and during the year 2009; Golf Magazine ranked it the third best golf course in the globe!
The cities history dates as far back as the year 1736, when the region was settled by British General James E. Oglethorpe, who is known as the founder of Georgia. The city's name of Augusta was chosen to honor the Princess of Wales, Augusta.
The city of Augusta became the capital of the state of Georgia in the years from 1785 until 1795. The city of Augusta likewise served as a key site in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. In time, the city became the 2nd biggest inland cotton market within the world during the time of the cotton boom.
Augusta likewise became a major winter resort destination and appealed to wealthy northerners wanting to escape the frigid winters back home. Now, the city of Augusta is a center for manufacturing and for medicine.
Augusta has become a thriving center for the military, biotechnology and medicine. The economy also depends on agricultural businesses within the region. Numerous staff in the area are working at the Medical College of Georgia. This public science graduate university has a vast workforce. More than 25,000 individuals work for the medical district of Augusta and this profoundly impacts the economy within the area.
The Development Authority of Richmond County is responsible for recruiting assembly, manufacturing, related industrial businesses, and distribution outlets for Augusta. The group also works towards helping the expansion of the presently existing industries. Companies are offered free employee screening, training and recruiting from the Augusta-Richmond County too.