Atlanta

For historical reasons, the majority of the population (52.29%) is Afro-Americans, 40.08% are white Americans, 4.03% are Latin Americans, 2.27% are the representatives of two and more nationalities. The other nations compile 1.05%, while the native Americans constitute only 0.26%. The 0.03% are native citizens of Hawaii and islanders. The sex ratio is approximately equal. The average age is 33.5 years. Half of the population has higher educational attainment.

Protestantism is the main religion in the city. Over 75% of Atlantans are protestants. Approximately 15% of people consider themselves to be Catholics. Nearly 5% of citizens are Jews.

The Battle of Atlanta became the most significant event in its history. In 1864, the Union army led by General Sherman entered the city. The commander burnt the town during the retrograde crossing and left only hospitals and churches untouched. This event triggered the next following re-election of Abraham Lincoln for the second presidential term. Margaret Mitchell described this period in detail in her novel “Gone with the Wind”. The main heroes had to evacuate from the city on the day of the siege.

In the 1920s, Atlanta became a place where country music had a new stage of development due to the appearance of record studios. They became widespread all over the country.

Atlanta faced racial riots and troubles at the beginning of the previous century. On the 22nd of September 1906, a group of Afro-Americans attacked four white women. This caused a sharp response of law enforcement and the white part of the population. As a result, several dozens of black-skinned people were killed. The districts they lived in were destroyed. This event was the precursor of the appearance of racial segregation. Later on, members of the Ku Klux Klan came to the city. They turned up the pressure even more.

In the 1960s, an active fight for the civil rights of the Afro-Americans burst in Atlanta. The Atlantan, Martin Luther King was one of the leaders. His activity absolutely upended the relations between different nationalities. Owing to this, the first Afro-American mayor was elected in the city in 1973.

The capital of Georgia hosted the XXVI Summer Olympic Games in 1996. During the competition, the explosion thundered in the Centennial Olympic Park. As a result, 2 people died and 11 were injured. This accident overshadowed the whole positive idea of the games.

Nowadays, Atlanta is a modern megalopolis with headquarters of such companies as CNN, The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines and many others.

The Atlanta Film Festival takes place in the city every spring (April-May). During this event, you can get acquainted with new documentaries and live actions. It is one of the two dozen festivals accredited by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This allows participants to qualify for “The Oscars”.

At the same time, Piedmont Park hosts a free Atlanta Jazz Festival that attracts real fanciers of Jazz music.

At the beginning of September, Atlanta greets fans of comics, movies, and series at Dragon Con. Actors, directors, and authors of comics come here to present their new projects and arrange autograph signing sessions with their fans.

A festival called “Pow-wow” is held on the first weekend of November in Stone Mountain Park, located not far from Atlanta. It is devoted to the culture of the native Americans. Guests of this even can try one ancient Indian costumes, get acquainted with traditional crafts, and learn a couple of movements of the traditional dances.

• Attend iconic landmarks connected with the life and activities of legendary Martin Luther King. They are located in the National Historical Park named after him. You can start with the house where the doctor King was born. His grave is situated only 3 minutes away from his home in the middle of the large fountain. After that, visit the King Center that was opened by his wife. The multi-media display depicting his public activities is located in the building in front of the center. In the church nearby, Martin Luther King used to preach sermons with his father.
• Drop by one of the oldest establishments in the city called “The Majestic”. It has been working since 1929. Its facade and the neon sign survived since the day the cafe had opened its doors. Playboy magazine added it to the list of the top-10 best traditional diners in America. “The Majestic” works rounds-the-clock 7 days per week. It serves several kinds of dishes with eggs, burgers, sandwiches, and waffles. You should definitely try its signature dish “Rancheros” with chorizo sausages or cheddar and pepper jack.
• See how American television operates from the inside. Visit the CNN Center and try on the role of the news anchor reading the news ticker and take a picture with the branded microphone of the company. After the tour, you will get a souvenir press identification card with your photo.
• Go to the Jackson Street Bridge and look down at Freedom Parkway Avenue where Rick Grimes - the main hero of the “Walking Dead” series - drove in the pilot episode. The deserted road with abandoned cars was the first harbinger of the catastrophe.
• Visit the shooting locations of such movies as “Thor”, “Capitan America”, “Ant-Man”, and “Hunger Games”. First of all, that’s the building of the Georgia Archives that was featured as the headquarters of Pym Technologies, that Hank Pym shrank; the largest atrium in the world of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis where the main heroes of “Hunger Games” went down on ropes to save Peeta; the Swan House that was featured as the mansion of President Snow.
• Throw a picnic in Piedmont Park where everything is equipped for the relaxing pastime of both adults and children. Here you can find tables, BBQ zones, and kids’ playgrounds. On warm days, you can swim in the lake and try fishing.
• See the largest collection of orchids in the United States. It is located in the Atlanta Botanical Garden in the north of Piedmont Park.
• Create a unique puppet at the workshop in the Center for Puppetry Arts. It stores 350 famous puppets and dolls from all over the world, including the renowned muppets: Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Rowlf the Dog, and Swedish Chef.
• Enjoy the view on the central part of Atlanta from the Skyview Atlanta Ferris Wheel. We highly recommend you to do this at night when the city is illuminated with lights. The show of fountains in the Olympic Park begins at 9 PM and it looks marvelous from the height. If you are a fancier of everything exclusive, there is a VIP cabin with leather seats and a glass floor.