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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
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 ...
Mar 21, 2010 1:02 am
Thunderstorms tonight could give way to showers, and the possibility of snow showers both Sunday night and Monday. There is an 80 percent chance of thunderstorms tonight, m...
Selma senator writes open letter to Artur Davis on health care
Mar 21, 2010 12:04 am
SELMA -- Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, has written an open letter to U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, saying he is concerned about the congressman's plan to vote against legis...
Arubans search sea after couple says photo may show Natalee Holloway's skeleton
Mar 20, 2010 8:44 pm
Dive team still at sea and Roy Williams -- The Birmingham News Is it Natalee Holloway or a pile of rocks? The underwater photo taken in Aruba that a Pennsylvania c...
Mar 20, 2010 5:17 pm
Soldiers with the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command helped get the supplies delivered in 16 hours. Members of an Alabama Army National Guard unit recently c...
Area's spring-like respite to give way to rain tonight, and a chance of snow on Sunday
Mar 20, 2010 4:10 pm
Warmer temperatures should return on Tuesday. Spring starts today with spring-like temperatures, but wet, wintry weather will return before the weekend is over.Tod...
Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority nears decision on director
Mar 20, 2010 1:30 pm
Committee named to review system. Birmingham, Ala., Mayor William Bell. ( The Birmingham News / Michelle Williams )The Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authorit...
Metro Birmingham forecast: Warm, sunny day before rain arrives
Mar 20, 2010 11:23 am
Weather will turn colder Sunday and Monday It was 43 degrees at 6 a.m. in metro Birmingham as the area begins a Saturday that promises to be pleasant with a high n...
Judge allows Gov. Riley's gambling task force to resume
Mar 20, 2010 1:34 am
Task force still blocked from Macon County's VictoryLand. TUSKEGEE -- A judge allowed the Governor's Task Force on Illegal Gambling to resume investigatio...
Forecast: Sunny start to spring, but cold not gone yet
Mar 20, 2010 12:50 am
Monday's high is expected to be near 49. Spring officially arrives Saturday, but come Monday there might be some reminders of this year's bitterly cold w...
