Within the Georgia State, Augusta is a consolidated city along with Richmond. It is situated along the Savannah River. The Augusta-Richmond population as of 2010 was 195,844 according to the census. This figure did not comprise the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.
Augusta is the main city in the Augusta-Richmond County Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city-county has a population of about 540,000. This total places the city as the 2nd largest metro area in the state of Georgia as well as the 2nd biggest city after Atlanta, placing it as the 116th largest city within the United States. The city of Augusta is well-known for hosting The Masters Tournament every springtime. The city of Augusta has earned the nickname of the "Masters City," due to this golf extravaganza though the official nickname is "The Garden City of the South." It was given this nickname as a reflection of the various private gardens situated there. Atlanta is likewise recognized worldwide as being the hometown of James Brown, a soul and funk singer.
The first major golf tournament each and every year is the Masters Tournament, that is held and hosted by the Augusta National Golf Club. This tournament is one of golf's four major championships, making it among the most prominent tournaments in the sport. Every year, the best professional and amateur golfers from all over the globe travel to Augusta in the first week of April to participate in the competition. The pristine grounds of the Augusta National course are known for being magnificent and in the year 2009; Golf Magazine ranked it the 3rd best golf course within the globe!
The cities history dates as far back as the year 1736, when the region was settled by British General James E. Oglethorpe, who is recognized as the founder of the state of Georgia. The city's name of Augusta was chosen in honor of Augusta, Princess of Wales.
The city served as a key site during both the Civil and the Revolutionary Wars. The city of Augusta became the state capital of Georgia from the year 1785 to the year 1795. Eventually, the city became the 2nd largest inland cotton market within the world during the time of the cotton boom.
The area around the city of Augusta has become a winter resort location for numerous wealthy northerners wanting warmer weather conditions during the cold months. Currently, the city of Augusta is a center for manufacturing and for medicine.
The city of Augusta has become a centre for the medicine, military and biotechnology and to a smaller degree, numerous agricultural businesses. A huge number of workers within the area are working at the Medical College of Georgia. This public science graduate university has a vast labor force. Over 25,000 people work for the medical district of Augusta and this profoundly impacts the economy within the region.
The Development Authority of Richmond County is responsible for recruiting assembly, manufacturing, related industrial companies, and distribution outlets for the city of Augusta. The organization also works towards helping the expansion of the presently existing businesses. Companies are provided with free employee training, recruiting and screening from the Augusta-Richmond County too.