The state of Alabama in the United States is situated within the southeastern region of the country. Alabama shares it borders along with Tennessee towards the north, Georgia to the east, the state of Mississippi towards the west, the Gulf of Mexico and the state of Florida towards the south. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks 2nd in the size of its inland waterways. The state ranks 23rd in population with 4.7 million inhabitants in the year 2009.
From the American Civil War until World War II, Alabama, like several Southern states, suffered economic hardship, in part due to continued dependence on agriculture. Despite the growth of major urban centres and industries, white rural interests dominated the state legislature until the 1960s, while urban interests and African Americans were under-represented. After WWII, Alabama experienced growth as the economy of the state transitioned from agriculture to diversified interests in mineral extraction, heavy manufacturing, technology and education. Also, the establishment or expansion of multiple military installations, mostly those of the United States Army and United States Air Force, added to state jobs.
The official nickname of the state of Alabama is the Yellowhammer State, a name which is derived from the state bird. It is also called the "Heart of Dixie." Camellia is the state flower, whereas Longleaf Pine is the state tree. Montgomery is the capital of Alabama. The biggest city by population is Birmingham. The largest city by total land area is Huntsville. The oldest city is Mobile, founded by French colonists.
The state has invested in education, aerospace, banking and healthcare, and several heavy industries, like for example automobile manufacturing, mineral extraction, steel production and fabrication.
According to the United States Bureau of Economic Analysis, the 2008 total gross state product was $170 billion, or $29,411 per capita. Alabama's 2008 GDP increased 0.7% from the past year. The single largest increase came in the field of information. During 1999, per capita income for the state of Alabama was $18,189.
Agriculture
Alabama's agricultural outputs consist of eggs and poultry, plant nursery items, cattle, cotton, peanuts, grains like corn and sorghum, milk, vegetables, soybeans, and peaches. Even if called "The Cotton State", the state of Alabama ranks between eighth and tenth in national cotton production, based on various reports, together with Mississippi, Texas and Georgia comprising the top three.
Industry
The industries in the state of Alabama include the production of iron and steel products; wood, paper and lumber products; mining; plastic products; cars and trucks; and clothing apparel. Moreover, the state of Alabama produces electronic and aerospace products, mainly within the Huntsville area, location of NASA's George C. Marshall Space Flight Center and the US Army Aviation and Missile Command, headquartered at Redstone Arsenal.
The economic growth of the state is mainly dependent on the state's automotive manufacturing business. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, Toyota Motor manufacturing Alabama and Mercedes-Benz US International are all situated in the state, as well as their various suppliers. Since 1993, the automobile business has generated more than 67,800 new jobs in the state of Alabama. The state of Alabama currently ranks 4th in the United States in automobile output.