Central Alabama
is a region in the state of
Alabama
. It is sometimes considered part of
North Alabama
because both regions are mountainous, but in some definitions they are different regions.
The
Valley and Ridge Province
of the Appalachians consist mainly of long, low ridges such as
Red Mountain
, Sand Mountain, Beaver Creek Mountain,
Shades Mountain
, and Coldwater Mountain in this region, and make impressive backdrops in the
Greater Birmingham
,
Gadsden
, and
Anniston
metropolitan areas. The easternmost part of Central Alabama around Anniston has the steepest mountains and highest elevations of the region. Coldwater Mountain and
Mount Cheaha
make up the highest of the mountain ridges that are located in the eastern portion of the region. The
Coosa River
divides the easternmost portion of the region from the central portion with the Birmingham area. The westernmost portion of Central Alabama is relatively a flat region with fertile black soil called the
Black Belt
. The
Black Warrior River
and its tributaries contribute to the fertile land of the area, and also serve as a demarcation line between the western and the central portions of the region. The central portion of Central Alabama varies from rugged in the east to flat in the west. Numerous valleys are scattered throughout this region between the mountain ridges including the densely populated Jones Valley and Shades Valley. Because the central portion is more rugged compared to the westernmost portion of Central Alabama, it is also the most flood-prone.
Urban sprawl
has exacerbated the risk of flooding by increasing the proportion of land covered by hard surfaces, leading to greater
runoff
during storms.
The Black Warrior,
Cahaba
, and Coosa Rivers and their tributaries are among the many waterways that wind their way through the region. Other major waterways that run through the area include
Choccolocco Creek
, Shades Creek, and Little Cahaba River.
Large deposits of
iron ore
,
limestone
, and
coal
are chief among the plentiful mineral resources found in the region. The coincidence of these three in close proximity was a major incentive for the rapid development of industry in the
Birmingham District
after the
American Civil War
.
Economy
[
edit
]
The economic engine of the region ranges from the diversified economy of Greater Birmingham, to the college town of Tuscaloosa, to the heavily industrialized economy of Anniston and Gadsden.
The primary economic center of the region is Greater Birmingham because of its size and diversified economy. It is home to the state's most diversified employer, the
University of Alabama at Birmingham
(UAB). UAB is not only the state's largest single employer with some 20,000 employees on its payroll, but also one of the largest medical districts in the Southeast. In addition, most of the state-based corporations such as
Alabama Power
,
Energen Corporation
,
HealthSouth Corporation
,
Regions Financial Corporation
,
Saks Incorporated
, and
Southern Research Institute
have their world headquarters located in the area. Though the
Mercedes-Benz
and
Honda
automotive production facilities are not technically located in any of the Greater Birmingham metropolitan counties, they are both considered as substantial contributors to its economy.
Tuscaloosa is the retail business center of a several-county area in Alabama and nearby Mississippi, and is chiefly a university town. The city hosts the
University of Alabama
's main campus as well as
Stillman College
and
Shelton State Community College
. Other major components of the economy include government, health, and industry. The city's largest industrial employer is the
Mercedes-Benz
production facility located ten miles from the main part of the city next to
Vance
.
Anniston and Gadsden are very similar in their heavily industrialized economies. Gadsden, however, is a river town so it has helped in building and creating a tourist industry to slight the blow of its declining primary industry. Gadsden is now home to many riverfront-based festivals that goes on throughout the year to boost its economy. Anniston, on the other hand, has also suffered a major blow on two fronts with the closings of
Fort McClellan
and many iron smelting facilities in the 1990s. However, it has turned more towards military production at the
Anniston Army Depot
with several government production contracts issued to this facility.
Important cities
[
edit
]
33°18′36″N
86°47′15″W
/
33.31000°N 86.78750°W
/
33.31000; -86.78750