SAVANNAH

Savannah. The name rolls slowly and gently off the tongue, leaving an almost mystical feeling suggestive of the charm, elegance and beauty of a truly Southern city, at once antique and contemporary. The old district boasts magnificent architectures and the beauty of two dozen historic squares for which Savannah is known far and wide. Each square honors an important person or event in Savannah's past, commemorated by a statue, monument, fountain, or occasionally by a grave.

Located some 250 miles southeast of Atlanta and 106 miles southwest of Charleston, SC, Savannah is part of the area referred to as the Lowcountry because it is flat and at or just above sea level. Surroundings include a large web of rivers and creeks, many of them under tidal influence.Savannah itself is situated at the mouth of the Savannah River, which separates Georgia and South Carolina. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, a series of federally maintained navigation channels that extends from Norfolk, VA to Miami, FL, runs along Savannah's east coast and is comprised of ecologically-important marshes.

Often, Georgia's Lowcountry is referred to as "Savannah and the Golden Isles" because of the numerous islands in the vicinity that offer their own unique lifestyles. For example, Cumberland Island is relatively primitive, offering peace and quiet and the absence of automobiles. At the other end of the spectrum is the comparative luxury of Jekyll Island, once the domain of the Vanderbilts, the Rockefellers, and other millionaires, who built lavish homes where they could escape the bitter winters of the North. St. Simons, while still relaxed, is perhaps the busiest of the Golden Isles.

Savannah is home to several colleges and universities, offering a wide spectrum of academic programs and degrees. These include:

• Armstrong Atlantic State University, a public four-year institution offering studies through the master's degree.
• Savannah College of Art and Design, a private four-year institution offering studies through the master's degree.
• Savannah State University, a public four-year institution offering studies through the master's degree.
• Savannah Technical College, a public two-year institution offering studies leading to an associate's degree.
• South University-Savannah, a private four-year institution offering studies through the bachelor's degree.

In addition to the educational offerings, there are numerous cultural programs that are open to the public.

Savannah also is a significant military site. The US Army's Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, which covers some 280,000 acres, is home to the 3rd Infantry Division whose troops have seen much duty in Iraq. In April 2003, the Marine Division led Coalition forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom, fighting its way to Baqhdad and Saddam Hussein's tyranny over the people of Iraq.

Manufacturers in Savannah contribute more than $1.6 billion worth of business in the Savannah area. Among the largest of these is Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a division of General Dynamics, with about 4300 employees. The Port of Savannah is the largest single-terminal container facility of its kind on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts and is comprised of two modern, deepwater terminals. Millions of tons of containerized cargo flow through the Port each year from facilities located all over the world.

Savannah's climate is on the warm side, with hot summers and generally mild winters. Typically, there will be a couple of months where temperatures will be in the 90s and three or four weeks where the lows might reach down into the 30s. There are many bright, clear and sunny days with sparkling blue skies that invite outdoor activities.

The population of Savannah and the surrounding metropolitan area is about 300,000, according to the US Census Bureau, and includes some 44,000 college students. Most of the citizens live in Chatham County, which saw its population grow an estimated seven percent between 1990 and 2000. It is the sixth largest county in all of Georgia. Because of its historical significance, subtropical weather, famed River Street restaurants and boutiques, and many other attractions, it is a significant tourist destination.