savannah

Extensive open tropical grasslands, with scattered trees and shrubs. Savannahs cover large areas of Africa, North and South America, and northern Australia. The soil is acidic and sandy and generally considered suitable only as pasture for low-density grazing.

A new strain of rice suitable for savannah conditions was developed in 1992. It not only grew successfully under test conditions in Colombia but also improved pasture quality so that grazing numbers could be increased twentyfold.

The name was originally given by Spaniards to the treeless plains of the tropical South American prairies. Most of North America's savannahs have been built over.

Savannah

City and port of Georgia, on the Savannah River, 29 km/18 mi from its mouth on the Atlantic Ocean; population (2000 est) 131,500. It is a major port and transportation hub on the eastern seaboard. Industries include paper- and food-processing, and the manufacture of aircraft, transportation equipment, and chemicals. Tourism is also important to the economy. Founded in 1733, Savannah was the capital of Georgia 1754–86, and was the first US city to be laid out in geometrically regular blocks.

Savannah is the oldest settlement in Georgia and was established by James Oglethorpe. The port grew with the cotton trade; world cotton prices were set by the Savannah Cotton Exchange from the late 18th century until 1895. Ocean-going vessels have an assured water depth of 11.5 m/38 ft to its harbour, and a 3-m/10ft channel continues upstream as far as Augusta, 320 km/200 mi inland. In 1994 the port handled a total tonnage of 14,428,616 (39th largest in the USA).

The Savannah, the first steam-powered ship to cross the Atlantic, was built here; most of its 25-day journey to Liverpool, in 1819, was made under sail. The first nuclear-powered merchant ship, launched by the USA in 1959, was given the same name.

Location Situated 400 km/250 mi southeast of Atlanta, Savannah occupies the south bank of the river, which forms the border here between Georgia and South Carolina; its city limits include Hutchinson Island.

Architecture The city's grid-iron plan was relieved by the inclusion of numerous squares and parks. Each plot was originally given a front on a public square, and the Historic District in the city centre retains this layout, along with many 18th- and 19th-century mansions. The Historic District has undergone much restoration since the 1950s. Savannah's colonial architecture is the subject of the Massie Heritage Interpretation Center.

Features From the 1750s until the Civil War, Savannah was the port of entry for many of Georgia's black slaves. The subsequent history of the slaves and free blacks is commemorated in the Victorian District; the First African Baptist Church (1777); and the Beach Institute. The African American Monument (2002), also marks Savannah's association with slavery, and has an inscription by African American writer Maya Angelou.

The Savannah State College (1890) and Armstrong State College (1935) are located here.

Savannah's subtropical climate and vegetation, and historic surroundings make it a popular tourist resort.

Savannah

River between Georgia and South Carolina, USA, formed by the Tugaloo and Seneca rivers, which meet at Hartwell dam, Georgia; length 505 km/314 mi. It flows southeast into Tybee Sound, 29 km/18 mi from Savannah in Georgia. The river is used for hydroelectric power and flood control.