University Of Alabama
As well as some of the highest summer temperatures in the US and relatively mild winters, subtropical climate of Alabama also provides the status of a good amount of rain and some more severe weather.
The geography of the state is equally varied, ranging from the mountains in the north to the beaches on the south coast. Much of the central region consists of fertile plains crossed by a number of lakes and outstanding rivers, the largest of which are the Tennessee River and Lake Guntersville.
The large spaces certainly plays an important role in the life of Alabama; hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, biking, climbing and rafting are all popular pastimes.
But the state is also rich in history and culture.
Indian heritage to civil war sites and key events in the civil rights movement (including the bus Rosa Parks incident), history buffs will find no shortage of material.
There are also many high quality sites drama, folk art fascinating renaissance underway and a dynamic music scene - which is, after all, one of the great houses of American country, blues, rock and gospel .
biggest cities in Alabama are quite widely spread. Montgomery and Birmingham center, Huntsville, north, Tuscaloosa in the west, and mobile in the south - where the Mobile River meets the Gulf of Mexico.
Alabama: In brief
• Total state population is 4.8 million (2011)
• Capital is Montgomery; largest city by population is Birmingham
• Located in the southeastern United States; borders Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west
• famous Alabamians include writers Truman Capote and Harper Lee, musician Nat 'King' Cole and actress Courtney Cox
• The most popular sports are football, baseball and motor sports
• The first rocket to put man on the moon was built in Huntsville, which is now home to the US Space and Rocket Center
fifth largest city in Alabama • Tuscaloosa was named "the most livable city in America" by the US Conference of Mayors in 2011, together with Tallahassee Florida
• Memorable city names include Aimwell, Slapout, eyes coal, Trickem, Burnt Corn and equality.
Best universities in Alabama
Overall, Alabama has more than 60 universities to choose from, including both public and private, four-year and two-year institutions.
The University of Alabama (UA) is both the largest university in the state and its highest rank - it makes the top 450 of the QS World Ranking of Universities in 2011/12.
Nicknamed "the cornerstone" (ie. The cornerstone of the higher education system of the State), UA is the flagship institution of the University of Alabama System, which also includes the University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH) and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
The similarity of the names can be a little confusing, but - although the three universities report to the Council of Administration of the University of Alabama system - everyone is basically run independently.
AU strong focus on research, but is also proud to be student-centered. This means that it offers a wide range of support services for students, including a free bus service around the (large) campus, more than 4,000 part-time campus for students, and a dedicated women's center resources.
From the beginning of the school year 2011-12, a total of 31.747 students enrolled at UA. Of these, over 60% came from inside the state, nearly 35% from elsewhere in the US and 4% were foreign students - from 77 different countries.
With a mix of academic and vocational courses on offer, the spread of the majors taken by students include: arts and science subjects, business, engineering, communication, education, law, nursing and social work.
