History of Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is a city located in (and the county seat of) Chatham County, Georgia|Chatham County, Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia (United States|USA). The city's population was 128,500 in 2005, according to the most recent U.S. Census estimate. Before 1970, Savannah was the second-largest city in Georgia. Today it is ranked fourth in population.
The Savannah metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, has a population of 320,013 (2006 estimate), and includes three Georgia counties: Bryan County, Georgia|Bryan, Chatham County, Georgia|Chatham, and Effingham County, Georgia|Effingham. Savannah's MSA is ranked third among Georgia cities.
According to the Census Bureau, Savannah's Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which includes metropolitan Savannah and micropolitan Hinesville, Georgia|Hinesville, has a population of 394,036.
Savannah is located at latitude 32°03'03; North, longitude 81°06'14" West. Savannah was the first colonial and state capital of Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia. It is also the primary port on the Savannah River and is located along the Intracoastal Waterway|U.S. Intracoastal Waterway.
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary (with etymologies), the name "Savannah" means "Shawnee"; it derives from a Muskoghean Indian word—a variant of Sawanoki, the native name of the Shawnees. Georgia colonists adopted this name for the Savannah River and then for the city.
Savannah's architecture and history are internationally known, as is its reputation for Southern United States|Southern charm and hospitality (the city's old promotional name was "Hostess City of the South"). Each year, Savannah attracts millions of visitors from across the country and around the world.[http://www.savcvb.com/savannah/ Savannah Convention and Visitors Bureau] Savannah houses the nation's most valuable living collection of 18th and 19th century architecture.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Founded by General James Oglethorpe in 1733, Georgia's colonial capital now encompasses six Historic Neighborhoods and each Spring Savannahians open their doors to visitors during the Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens. Savannah's downtown area is the largest National Historic Landmark District in the United States.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Savannah is also noted for its St. Patrick's Day celebration, the second largest in the United States behind New York City.[http://www.savannahsaintpatricksday.com/ Savannah's Saint Patrick's Day]
Savannah is served by Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport, near Interstate 95. The city is the home of four colleges and universities offering bachelor's, master's and professional doctorate degree programs: Savannah College of Art and Design, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah State University, and South University. Bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. programs in engineering are offered through the Savannah campus of the Georgia Tech|Georgia Institute of Technology.[http://www.gtsav.gatech.edu Georgia Tech - Savannah] In addition, South University offers doctorate degrees of pharmacy.
As of 2006, the mayor of Savannah is Otis Johnson.
Residents of Savannah are known as Savannahians (International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA pronunciation: {{IPA|[sə'vænəjʊnz]}}).
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