Alabama ranks ninth in the number of deaths from lightning and tenth in the number of deaths from lightning strikes per capita.

Historical spellings of the word “Alabama” include Alibamo, Alibamu, Limamu, Alibamon, Alibamu, Alabamo, Alebamon, Alibama, Alibamou, Alabamu, and Allibamou.

Alabama has a coastline along the Gulf of Mexico on the extreme southern edge of the state.

Alabama has very hot summers with high temperatures averaging over 90 °F (32 °C) in some parts of the state and mild winters.

As early as 1702, the French called the tribe the Alibamon, and French maps identified the river as Rivière des Alibamons.

The first European settlement in Alabama was founded by the French at Old Mobile in 1702. The city was moved to the current site of Mobile in 1711.

Birmingham was called the “Magic City” due to its rapid growth in the early 20th century, driven by industrial development and mining.

The 2011 tornado outbreak in Alabama resulted in 238 deaths and caused significant devastation to many communities across the state.

Hurricane Ivan, a category 3 storm upon landfall, struck Alabama in 2004, causing over $18 billion in damage. It was one of the most destructive storms in the state’s modern history.

The name “Alabama” first appears in written accounts from the Hernando de Soto expedition of 1540, with Garcilaso de la Vega using Alibamo, the Knight of Elvas using Alibamu, and Rodrigo Ranjel using Limamu.