Flag Nickname: Hotlanta,[1] The A-T-L[2]

Location in Fulton and DeKalb counties and the state of Georgia Coordinates: 33°45'18?N 84°23'24?W? / ?33.755, -84.39 Country United States State Georgia Counties Fulton, DeKalb Terminus 1837 Marthasville 1843 City of Atlanta 1847[3] Government  - Mayor Shirley Franklin (D) Area  - City 132.4 sq mi (343.0 km?)  - Land 131.8 sq mi (341.2 km?)  - Water 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km?)  - Urban 1,962.9 sq mi (5,083.9 km?)  - Metro 8,376 sq mi (21,693.7 km?) Elevation 738-1,050 ft (225-320 m) Population (2006)  - City 486,411  - Density 3,690.5/sq mi (1,220.5/km?)  - Urban 3,499,840  - Metro 5,138,233 Time zone EST (UTC-5)  - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4) Area code(s) 404, 678, 770 FIPS code 13-04000GR2 GNIS feature ID 0351615GR3 Major Airport Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport- ATL (Major/International) Website: http://www.atlantaga.gov/ Atlanta (pronounced /?t'l?nt?/) is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Georgia, and the core city of the ninth most populous metropolitan area in the United States. It is the county seat of Fulton County, although portions of the city extend into DeKalb County. As of July 2006, the city of Atlanta had a population of 486,411[4] and a metropolitan population of 5,138,223,[5] making it the nation's ninth-largest metro area. Residents of the city are known as Atlantans. Atlanta has in recent years undergone a transition from a city of regional commerce to a city of international influence.[6] Between 2000 and 2006, the Atlanta metropolitan area grew 20.5%, making it the fastest growing metropolitan area in the nation.[7] Atlanta is often considered a poster child for cities worldwide experiencing rapid growth and urban sprawl.[8][9] During the Civil Rights Movement, Atlanta stood apart from southern cities that supported segregation, touting itself as "The City Too Busy to Hate." The city's progressive civil rights record and existing population of blacks made it increasingly popular as a relocation destination for black Americans. Blacks soon became the dominant social and political force in the city, though today some measure of demographic diversification has taken place.[10] Along with St. Louis and Los Angeles, Atlanta is one of three cities in the United States to have hosted the Summer Olympic Games.