From the mountains to the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama is rich in history and recreation. Alabama's economy is based on poultry, cattle and peanuts.
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Hernando de Soto led expeditions to Alabama’s land in 1540, which was then inhabited by Native Americans. The French, Spanish and British struggled for control of the land and quickly changed alliances with the various tribes. Conflicts kept erupting which led the Native Americans to keep retreating back into Oklahoma.
The War of 1812 led to many uprisings of Native Americans against white settlers. Alliances between tribes proved to be harder to defeat than the settlers anticipated. Andrew Jackson blazed a victorious trail through what is now known as Jackson Trace. This provided him with the spark he needed to gain the Presidency in 1829.
In 1846 Montgomery became the permanent capitol of Alabama and also become the seat of the formation of the Confederate States of America. The Articles of Secession were signed and Jefferson Davis became the President of the Confederate States.
The Post Civil War years we marked by political and economic turmoil. The boll weevil devastated the cotton crop in 1915 and forced the diversification of agriculture. The space program gave Alabama a lift with the technological revolution that has helped the economy considerably. Social justice has made great strides in the state. Rosa Parks was instrumental when she refused to move to the back of the bus in 1955 in Montgomery. A 381 day boycott followed and led to more aggressive measures including the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965. A memorial was erected in 1989 to honor those who died during these difficult times.
Alabama’s economy has gone from industrial, to agricultural and back to industrial again. It started with some industry, then cotton flourished, but destroyed by the boll weevil and now industry is king. Forestry and lumber are big businesses as well as one of the largest employers in the state, the University of Alabama Medical Center. High tech industries have made their home there, including NASA, with the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.
Shipping has made progress with the opening of the 234 mile Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway from Mobile to inland ports along the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers. This cut several days and hundreds of miles off the old route that went through New Orleans.
The statewide sales tax is 4 percent with local options to impose additional increments. There is also an Occupancy Tax of up to 5 percent. Outdoor recreation is abundant in the state. Two beaches, the Gulf Coast and Mobile Bay, draw thousands of tourists each year. Swimming, boating, water skiing, fishing, camping and picnicking are among the most popular activities. Hunting is permitted in most State owned woodlands and golfers have their choice of courses featuring the Robert Trent Jones chain, which operates over 324 holes throughout Alabama.
