The University of Georgia and Athens have grown up side by side. When its founders were looking for a site for the new university, they sought a remote location where students would be isolated from the temptations of urban life. The town was named for its Greek counterpart, a great center of learning.

Georgia's "Classic City"

Athens is a prospering community, one that reflects the charm of the Old South while developing in cultural and industrial areas. It is located approximately 70 miles east-northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. Athens is at the heart of a three-county metropolitan area of 126,000 people.

Athens and Clarke County share a common local government. The Clarke County population, according to a 1990 census estimate, is 86,000. A college town in every sense of the word, Athens appreciates its University population while recognizing its obligation to all residents to grow independently of the University.

Athens' elevation is 600 to 800 feet above mean sea level, and because of its geographic location, the city is sheltered from much of the extreme weather of the winter season. Mean temperature for January, the coldest month, is 43 degrees F., and for July, the warmest month, 79 degrees F. Average minimum and maximum temperatures for January are 33 and 53 degrees F., and for July, 68 and 89 degrees F. Average rainfall is 50.42 inches.

Athens is served by a daily newspaper and an independent student newspaper, the Red and Black. Athens also has a weekly newspaper and the Atlanta newspapers, as well as six local radio stations and the University's radio stations, WUOG-FM and WUGA- FM. Network television is available through direct reception or cable within a 100-mile radius of Athens.

Two hospitals offering comprehensive health care serve Athens, and there are more than 80 churches in the area.

UGA Lifestyles

UGA encourages an active lifestyle by offering a variety of intramural sports, outdoor activities, club sports, free recreational programs, and fitness opportunities through the Department of Recreational Sports. The Ramsey Student Center for Physical Activities is a 430,000 sq. ft. recreation center which provides extensive recreation/fitness/exercise opportunities for students, faculty and staff. Other facilities include the Rec Sports Complex with more than 35 acres of playing fields, a pavilion and beach at Lake Herrick, 15 tennis courts, the Coach Mike Castronis running trail, and a fit trail. The Oconee Forest Park is a beautiful wooded recreational area adjacent to the complex.

All students should know about Student Activities and the Tate Student Center. Student Activities supervises many programs of interest to students, including some of the events listed on UGA Today, a complete look at the events and happenings on campus. You can also subscribe to eGaMorning, a daily look at UGA in the news e-mailed directly to you.

And for information about UGA from the student's perspective, see The Red and Black.