Thunderstorms are common in Alabama, especially in the southern part around Mobile Bay, which averages between 70 and 80 days per year with thunder. The far north of the state reports thunder on about 60 days per year.

The northern part of Alabama, along the Tennessee River Valley, is most vulnerable to tornadoes.

The expedition of Hernando de Soto passed through Mabila and other parts of Alabama in 1540.

American football, particularly at the college level, plays a major part in Alabama’s culture.

In 1960, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center was established in Huntsville, boosting Alabama’s economic growth by developing a local aerospace industry.

During and after World War II, Alabama’s economy diversified with new industries, leading to economic growth.

In the 1960s, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in cases like Baker v. Carr and Reynolds v. Sims that legislative districts must be based on population rather than geographic counties. This principle led to the redistricting of Alabama’s legislative ...Read more

Alabama has areas administered by the National Park Service, including:Horseshoe Bend National Military Park near Alexander City Little River Canyon National Preserve near Fort Payne Russell Cave National Monument in Bridgeport Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Tuskegee Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site ...Read more

North Alabama is mostly mountainous, with the Tennessee River creating numerous creeks, streams, rivers, mountains, and lakes.

Alabama has a range of habitats, including the Tennessee Valley, Appalachian Plateau, Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians in the north, Piedmont, Canebrake, Black Belt in the central region, and Gulf Coastal Plain and beaches along the Gulf of Mexico in the south.