Vacation Rentals in Alabama
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Travel destination Alabama.
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Destination
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Overview of Alabama
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| Size |
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135,775 sq km (52,423 sq mi) |
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| Population |
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4,447,100 |
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| Language |
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English |
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| Time Zone |
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6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-6 GMT) |
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| Electricity |
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120 V, 60 Hz |
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| Clothing |
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Dress to fit the season. If you plan on doing a lot of outdoor activities, bring loose, comfortable
clothing and sturdy walking or hiking shoes. Hat and sunglasses are important when outdoors at any time
of year. For winter wear layered, loose fitting clothing. Wear a hat, scarf, ski jackets, beanies,
gloves and snow goggles. |
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| Religion |
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Alabama is part of the Bible Belt, in which evangelicals and fundamentalists are predominant.
There is a strong Catholic presence along the Gulf Coast. The major denominations are:
Christian: 92%, Other Religions: 1%, Non-religious: 7%, Non-Religious: 24%. |
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| Currency |
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US Dollar (USD)
Currency Converter |
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Location of Alabama
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Alabama is the 30th largest state in the United States with 135,775 km˛ (52,423 sq mi) of total area.
3.19% of that is water, making Alabama 23rd in the amount of surface water, also giving it the second largest
inland waterway system in the United States. About three-fifths of the land area is a gentle plain with a
general decline towards the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The North Alabama region is mostly
mountainous, with the Tennessee River cutting a large valley creating numerous creeks, streams, rivers,
mountains, and lakes. The lowest point east of the Mississippi River lies in Dekalb County along a creek
cutting tower ridges, and creating Buck's Pocket State Park. Another natural wonder is "Land Bridge" the
longest natural bridge span east of the Mississippi River. Alabama generally ranges in elevation from sea
level at Mobile Bay, to a little more than 1,800 feet (550 m) in the Appalachian mountains in the northeast.
The highest point is Mount Cheaha. Alabama is bordered by: Tennessee to the north; Georgia to the east;
Florida to the south; and Mississippi to the west. Alabama has coastline at the Gulf of Mexico in the
extreme southern edge of the state. |
Climate of Alabama
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As a southern state, the frequency of severe winter weather events is relatively low. Alabama enjoys
year-round mild conditions with average temperatures near 27°C (80şF) in the summer and above 7°C (45şF) in the winter.
Highs reach 30-33°C (mid 90°s). Northern parts of Alabama receive occasional short-lived snowfalls. Rainfall
is spread somewhat evenly throughout the year. |
Best Time to Travel to Alabama
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In Alabama March is the rainiest month, and October is the driest. High humidity is common,
especially in the southern areas and along the Gulf of Mexico. The best time to go birding is in April,
May, and June. |
Attractions in Alabama
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Alabama's diverse landscape serves to illustrate the variety of adventures awaiting you in Alabama.
From the picturesque mountains of North Alabama to the sugar–white beaches of the Gulf
Coast, you'll find something special to pique your interest. Perhaps our white sand beaches and
sparkling emerald water are just the setting you need for that perfect vacation with friends and family.
With majestic mountains, clear blue streams and abundant natural wildlife, Alabama is also the
perfect place to enjoy the outdoors. The Alabama Bass Trail is a must for any avid angler.
In addition, Alabama is one of the premier states in the US for hunting white-tailed deer and
Eastern wild turkey. Our state's generous hunting seasons and bag limits are the envy of other states.
Take a trip to any of Alabama's parks and woodlands and you will find some of the best biking trails
in the South. Or visit the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, a paradise for birding during migration.
National Parks: Horseshoe Bend National Military Park in Daviston; Little River Canyon National
Preserve in Fort Payne; Russell Cave National Monument in Bridgeport; Tuskegee Airmen National
Historic Site in Tuskegee; and Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site near Tuskegee.
Alabama also contains the Natchez Trace Parkway, the Selma To Montgomery National Historic Trail
and the Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail.
The Alabama Bass Trail is a must for any avid angler. Take a trip to any of Alabama's parks and
woodlands and you will find some of the best biking trails in the South. Or visit the Alabama Coastal
Birding Trail, a paradise for birding during migration.
In the 1950s a team of scientists designed and tested the rockets that eventually put man on the moon.
Today, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center is one of Alabama's top attractions. Visitors can see an actual
Apollo spacecraft and a towering 363-foot Saturn V rocket. |
Events in Alabama
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If arts and entertainment are to your liking, then a trip to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival
in Montgomery should be on your itinerary. It's the 6th largest Shakespeare theater in the world,
with more than 200,000 visitors annually, hosting a variety of classical and contemporary theatrical
productions year-round. The world's brightest performers in music, dance and live theater can be
found at the Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center in Birmingham. And the Birmingham Broadway
Series stages Broadway's hottest shows from September through April. For the sports enthusiast,
Alabama has a wide range of professional and collegiate sports, from football and basketball to
motorsports and sports museums. |
Food in Alabama
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One bite from a divine dish can make you feel as if you've just died and gone to heaven. In Alabama,
100 dishes can put you on cloud nine, from the ribs at Dreamland to the pie at Sweet Potato Heaven.
The choices are many, from no-frills to fancy, from fast to relaxed dining. Alabama has it all
for flavor, whether it's enjoying freshly-cooked vegetables from Alabama's bounty or stretching
the palate to explore the rich global food heritage. |
Society in Alabama
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Don't believe all of the stereotypes you may have heard about Americans. Even the ones that are true
in general may not be true about specific individuals or a large segment of the population. For example,
although Americans tend to be louder and more boisterous than people from other cultures (especially
at sport events), many of the people you meet will be quiet and polite. Some people may be intolerant
and xenophobic, but most will be pleasant and welcoming. Remember that American films and television
exaggerate in order to generate excitement, and so present a rather distorted picture of what life in the
United States is really like. Likewise, tourists are not always on their best behavior. Americans do
tend to be more informal than people from other countries. Americans tend to require more personal
space than in other cultures. So if you try to get too close to an American during your conversation,
he or she will feel that you are "in their face" and will try to back away. Also, try to avoid physical
contact while you are speaking, since this may also lead to discomfort. Touching is a bit too intimate
for casual acquaintances. So don't put your arm around their shoulder, touch their face, or hold their hand.
Shaking hands when you initially meet or part is acceptable, but this is only momentary.
Restaurants do not include a service charge in the bill, so you should tip the waiter 15% of the total
bill. If service was slow or particularly bad, some Americans will tip only 10%. Likewise, if service
was particularly good, it is appropriate to tip 20%. If service was so bad that you would never eat
in the restaurant again, leave two cents. This is a deliberate insult, because it tells the waiter
that you didn't forget to leave a tip. Tipping is only appropriate in restaurants which offer table service.
You do not tip the cashier in a fast food restaurant. Restaurants do not include a service charge in the bill,
so you should tip the waiter 15% of the total bill. If service was slow or particularly bad, some Americans
will tip only 10%. Likewise, if service was particularly good, it is appropriate to tip 20%. If service
was so bad that you would never eat in the restaurant again, leave two cents. This is a deliberate insult,
because it tells the waiter that you didn't forget to leave a tip. |
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