Active Lifestyles
Central Alabama
Area Info
Alabama is widely known as the "Heart of Dixie," and this region is the heart of Alabama, in a number of ways. Geographically, of course, it takes up the middle portion of the state; but it also remains the heart of Alabama in matters of population, politics, finance, industry, and culture.
Birmingham, the state's largest city and the center of its industry, is located in this region; as is Montgomery, the state capital, and the two university towns of Tuscaloosa (University of Alabama) and Auburn (Auburn University). Birmingham lies close to the southernmost outliers of the Appalachians, close to important sources of iron ore and coal. It became one of the country's largest steel producers, and by far the largest in the South. Today, it is a modern metropolis of more than a million people.
Montgomery, a hundred miles to the south, has long played an important role in history. This was the first capital of the Confederacy, after seven Deep South states seceded in 1861. It was also the center of Civil Rights battles a hundred years later...most notably the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which resulted in the first desegregation of facilities in the Jim Crow South. Montgomery today is an important center of industry, including automobile manufacturing, as well as serving as the state capital.
Articles
News from The Birmingham News
Weather update: Possibility of rain mixed with snow tonight, Monday
Mar 22, 2010 1:02 am
Snow accumulation unlikely The Birmingham area is bracing for a chance of rain possibly mixed with snow tonight. There is a 40 percent chance of rain w...
Alabama task force on illegal gambling spends $536,000 on legal help
Mar 22, 2010 12:46 am
The governor's office has spent more than $500,000 on legal bills for its crackdown on illegal gambling. The Montgomery Advertiser reported Sunday that figures sup...
Troopers working four wrecks at interstate exit detour around sinkhole site
Mar 21, 2010 9:50 pm
The crashes happened at Exit 318 on the line between Cullman and Morgan counties Alabama state troopers were advising motorists traveling Interstate 65 northbound...
Snow, mixed with rain, could appear in Birmingham this evening
Mar 21, 2010 8:48 pm
Monday there's a 30 percent chance of rain and snow tomorrow morning A strong cold front moving into western Alabama Sunday evening could bring r...
Alabama parks officials not informed of lawmakers' idea for half-off discounts
Mar 21, 2010 6:45 pm
Proposal calls for half off admission and lodging fees MONTGOMERY -- The idea by the Alabama Senate Democratic Caucus seemed simple enough: Give Alabama residents ...
Athens fire and police investigate suspicious fires minutes apart
Mar 21, 2010 6:20 pm
Storage building and lean-two structures burned in fires ATHENS -- Athens Fire and Rescue and Athens police are continuing to investigate two suspicious fires that...
Binge drinking highest in dry Alabama counties
Mar 21, 2010 12:45 pm
Still, state is a teetotaler by national standards CEDAR BLUFF -- Jay Patel stands behind the counter at his Discount Liquors store here on Lake Weiss, waiting as ...
Birmingham metro forecast: Turning cold with chance of overnight snow
Mar 21, 2010 11:36 am
Little or no snow accumulation expected It's 56 with rain in the Birmingham area this morning.The remainder of today's forecast calls for showers, mainly before 1 ...
New housing designed to breathe life into Birmingham's Ensley neighborhood
Mar 21, 2010 10:30 am
Public housing may set trend Related: Birmingham considers revitalization for old Ensley Works Maxine Beverly, 76, moved into her Avenue J home in 1971. She once...
Aruban divers find little in first look for possible Natalee Holloway skeleton
Mar 21, 2010 1:15 am
Underwater search to resume Sunday and Roy Williams -- The Birmingham NewsThis October 2009 underwater photo provided by John F. Muldowney shows a portion of the ...
