Alabama is in the southern United States with a population
of 4.4 million as of 2000. The capital of Alabama is Montgomery. Birmingham is the largest city.

Other large cities include Mobile, Decatur, Huntsville, and Tuscaloosa. Other cities include Alabaster, Albertville, Alexander City, Anniston, Athens, Auburn, Bessemer, Daphne, Dothan, Enterprise, Florence, Gadsden, Homewood, and Hoover.

Alabama was once claimed by the Spaniards as part of Florida. The English claimed it as part of the province of Carolina. When the French took over Louisiana they also took over the territory including Alabama. When the United States acquired the Louisiana Purchase and the Mississippi Territory, there was much controversy as to whether or not Alabama was included. In the end, Alabama became the 22nd
state in 1819.