From the mountains to the sea and everywhere in between, Georgia's landscape is as diverse as its culture.

Home to musical legends such as Ray Charles, R.E.M., the B-52s, OutKast and Elton John, Georgia is known for its contributions to Southern gospel, bluegrass, country, rap and pop music. The state has been the backdrop for thousands of films including "Deliverance", "Driving Miss Daisy", "Fried Green Tomatoes", and "The Legend of Bagger Vance."

While here, visitors can sample Southern fare like fried chicken and Vidalia onion pie to cutting-edge New American and fusion cuisine, or take in performances by international dance troupes to local residents acting in the state's Official Folk Life Play, "Swamp Gravy," in South Georgia.

Our state leads the nation in the creation and growth of high-tech jobs, and is home to the ninth largest biotechnology community in the United States. More than 1,600 internationally owned companies representing 39 countries operate in our state, taking advantage of our skilled labor force, and using our deepwater ports along the coast, more than 40 air-freight carriers and interstate highway systems to deliver their goods to the global marketplace.

As host to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, and to the Group of Eight (G-8) Summit in Sea Island, Georgia has established itself on the international scene, sharing with the world something Georgians know to be true-how uniquely special our state is.