State Symbols of Alabama

By | Updated on August 18, 2023

Reviewed by Rittika

Alabama is a constituent state of the United States of America. It was admitted to the Union as the 22nd state in 1819. The state of Alabama is bordered by Georgia to the east, Tennessee to the north, the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. With a total area of 52,420 sq mi (135,767 sq km), Alabama ranks the 30th largest state by area. Its total population, drafted in 2020, is 5,024,279 which makes it the twenty-fourth most populous state in the U.S. 

Montgomery is the state capital, and Huntsville is the state’s largest city in terms of population and area. Its oldest city is Mobile, which was founded as the capital of French Louisiana by French colonists in 1702. Greater Birmingham is Alabama’s most populous metropolitan area and economic center.

The state of Alabama is also known as the Yellowhammer State, after the state bird. Heart of Dixie is another nickname for the state because Alabama is located in the heart of Dixie, the American South. Alabama is also commonly known as the Cotton State because of its historical contribution to the cotton industry. 

Alabama has a historical landscape of going through major crises in terms of its settlement and development, where the American Civil War stands as the most significant event in its history.

Alabama played a crucial role in the Civil War, since the secession conference held in Montgomery, the Confederacy’s birthplace, invited other states to join the Southern Republic between January and March 1861, and construct constitutions to enable them to independently govern their affairs. From the early 16th century until the French took control of it in the early eighteenth, Alabama was a part of Spain. After capturing the region in 1763, the British lost it during the American Revolutionary War. Up until 1813, Spain controlled Mobile as a part of Spanish West Florida. Alabama was officially acknowledged as a state in December 1819. 

The war ended the widely used African-American slave labor and promoted industrialization. Alabama seceded from the Union and became a member of the Confederate States of America in 1861.

Despite the growth of major industries and urban centers in the early 20th century, white rural interests dominated the state legislature until the mid-twentieth century. Urban interests and African Americans were significantly under-represented at the time. After going through several historical events, Alabama managed to provide strength to its economy during World War II. 

The automotive, finance, tourism, manufacturing, aerospace, mineral extraction, healthcare, education, retail, and technology industries drive Alabama’s economy in the twenty-first century.

Alabama has a large population of snails, which is an intriguing fun fact. The state is home to 43% of all the different species of snails in the country.

The state flower is Camellia, and the official language of Alabama is English. 

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– Learn about Alabama flag color codes and their meanings –

State Information

Official Language	English
State Rank	30
Demonym(s)	Alabamian
Nickname	The Yellowhammer State, The Heart of Dixie, and The Cotton State
ISO	US-AL
Formation Date	December 14, 1819
Coordinates	Lat: 30°11' N to 35° N, Long: 84°53' W to 88°28' W
Area

State seal

Motto of Alabama

Audemus jura nostra defendere- "We dare defend our rights"

State symbols of Alabama 👇

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  State capital
  Montgomery
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  State bird
  Northern flicker
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  State flower
  Camellia japonica
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  State mascot
  Eastern tiger swallowtail
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  State fruit
  Blackberry
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  State tree
  Southern Longleaf Pine
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  State dance
  Square Dance
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  State reptile
  Alabama red-bellied turtle
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  State insect
  Monarch butterfly
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  State vegetable
  Sweet potato
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  State gemstone
  Star Blue Quartz
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  State animal
  Black Bear
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  State fish
  Largemouth bass (fresh water)

State location

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