Alabama’s economy in the 21st century is based on automotive, finance, tourism, manufacturing, aerospace, mineral extraction, healthcare, education, retail, and technology.

Tuscaloosa served as Alabama’s capital from 1826 to 1846.

In 1861, Alabama seceded from the United States to become part of the Confederate States of America, with Montgomery acting as its first capital. Alabama rejoined the Union in 1868.

Of the 383 mollusk species, 113 have never been collected outside of Alabama.

Alabama passed various segregation laws, including segregating jails in 1911, hospitals in 1915, toilets, hotels, and restaurants in 1928, and bus stop waiting rooms in 1945.

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

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.

Alabama’s highest recorded temperature is 112 °F (44 °C), recorded on September 5, 1925, in Centerville.

The agrarian Mississippian culture covered most of Alabama from 1000 to 1600 CE, with one of its major centers at the Moundville Archaeological Site.

Invertebrates in Alabama include 97 crayfish species and 383 mollusk species.