Atlanta

Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S.

Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the county seat of Fulton County and extends into DeKalb County. The city serves as a major transportation, commercial, and cultural centre of the southeastern United States.

History

Atlanta began as a railroad terminus selected in 1837 and was first known as Terminus and later Marthasville before being named Atlanta in 1845. It was burned during the American Civil War and later became the Georgia state capital in 1868.

Geography

Atlanta is located in northwestern Georgia, near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and southeast of the Chattahoochee River. Parts of the city lie in both Fulton and DeKalb counties, and its elevation is notably higher than many other southern cities.

Economy and transportation

The city is a major trade and transportation centre for the southeastern United States. Its metropolitan area is a major regional economic hub and includes a large concentration of business, finance, and transport activity.

Population and metropolitan area

The city’s population was 498,715 in the 2020 census, with later estimates placing it above 529,000 in 2025. The wider Atlanta metropolitan area exceeds 6.4 million people, making it one of the largest metro areas in the country.