River Heritage Region, AL Land for Sale

Alabama's River Heritage region includes the southern part of the state outside of the Gulf Coast region, and borders Florida to the south, Georgia to the east and Mississippi to the west. It of course refers to the Alabama River, which is an important waterway in the region. Montgomery is the largest city in the region, the state capital and the second most populated city in Alabama. Other large cities in the region include Wetumpka, Tuskegee, Phenix City, Opelika, Selma, Greenville and Andalusia.

The region includes Alabama's Black Belt, referring to the rich black topsoil in the area, and Montgomery is at the center of it. It has long been a processing hub for commodity crops such as cotton, peanuts and soybeans. With its location along the Alabama River and extensive rail connections, it continues to be a regional distribution hub for a wide variety of industries. Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery is the largest employer in the region, with more than 12,000 employees, and also the State of Alabama with 9,500 employees. There are more than 10 higher education institutions in the River Heritage region, which include Auburn University, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Concordia College, Selma University, Troy University, Tuskegee University, Chattahoochee Valley Community College, Enterprise State Community College, Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, Reid State Technical College and Wallace Community College.

There are a number of protected areas in this region, most notable are Tuskegee National Forest, Bladon Springs State Park, Blue Springs State Park, fed by a crystal clear underground spring, Chewacla State Park and Lake and Fort Toulouse National Historic Park and State Park. Some other attractions include Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, Alabama Nature Center, Man Wildlife Learning Museum, Montgomery Zoo and a large number of golf courses throughout the region.

Houston County is located in the southeastern corner of Alabama's River Heritage Region, bordering Georgia to the east and Florida to the south, in the heart of Alabama's Wiregrass region. It is named for George Smith Houston, the 24th Governor of Alabama. Dothan is the only city and the county seat, and there are more than 20 other towns and unincorporated communities. Houston County is a major retail and medical hub that serves hundreds of thousands of people in a 100-mile radius. The county has a diverse manufacturing base and a strong agricultural sector. It produces a large percentage of the country's cotton, corn and other crops, and is a major producer of poultry. Dothan is known as the "Peanut Capital of the World," and features the National Peanut Festival, held each fall and "Peanuts Around Town," a citywide public art project consisting of more than 70 peanut sculptures throughout the city. There are also large companies in the aviation and aerospace technology industries, tire and auto part production. The largest employer in the county is a large medical center. Some attractions in the county include Landmark Park, a living history farm, Wiregrass Museum of Art, Dothan Area Botanical Gardens and the U.S. Army Aviation Museum.

Lee County is located in the northeast corner of Alabama's River Heritage region, and borders Georgia to the east. It is named for General Robert E. Lee, General in Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States in the U.S. Civil War. Auburn is the largest city and Opelika is the county seat. Other cities in the county are Phenix City, also partly in Russell County, and Smiths Station, and there are more than 10 other towns and unincorporated communities. Auburn University, a large comprehensive public university, is the largest employer in the county and a huge economic, research and tourism engine. Southern Union State Community College, a two-year degree and technical college, has locations in Auburn, Opelika and Valley (in Chambers County). There are also research and technology parks, to foster growth in those industries as well. Some additional attractions in the county include Chewacla State Park, Julie Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, Bean's Mill, the Salem-Shotwell Covered Bridge, and Grand National golf course.

Elmore County is also located in the northern part of the River Heritage region. It is named for General John A. Elmore, an American military officer and politician in the American Revolution. Wetumpka is the largest city and the county seat. The other cities in Elmore County are all partially in other counties, and include Prattville, Millbrook and Tallahassee, and there are less than 15 other towns, census-designated places and unincorporated communities. Over the past 20 years, the county has transferred from an economy based on agriculture to primary manufacturing. The largest employer in the county is in the manufacturing sector, including aerospace, technology and more. Some attractions in Elmore County include Alabama Nature Center, Jasmine Hill Gardens, six golf courses, a casino and hotel resort, marinas on Lake Jordan and Lake Martin, more than 10 public parks and Alabama River Speedway.