Alabama’s coastal counties, part of the former Spanish West Florida territory, officially became part of the United States in 1819 with the Adams–Onís Treaty.

The Rosenwald Fund helped fund the construction of schools for African American children in Alabama. Between 1913 and 1937, 387 schools, seven teachers’ houses, and several vocational buildings were built with partial funding from the Rosenwald Fund.

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

Alabama remained chiefly agricultural, with an economy tied to cotton. The state constitution of 1868 created Alabama’s first public school system and expanded women’s rights. Legislators funded public road and railroad projects, despite allegations of fraud and misappropriation.

Industrial development related to World War II brought prosperity to Alabama. Rural workers moved to cities for better jobs, significantly increasing populations in cities like Mobile.

Alabama (/ˌæləˈbæmə/ AL-ə-BAM-ə) is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west.

High-profile events such as the Selma to Montgomery marches made Alabama a major focal point of the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s.

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

Alabama has a total area of 52,419 square miles (135,760 km²).

The climate in Alabama is classified as humid subtropical (Cfa) under the Köppen Climate Classification.