Straddling the border of Georgia and South Carolina, Augusta, known as The Garden City, is the second largest city in Georgia. It is home to nearly 198,000 people, 520,000 including its urban area (Richmond and Columbia Counties in Georgia and Aiken in South Carolina). The city on the South Carolina side is called Augusta North. It is separated from Augusta by the Savannah River.Founded in 1735 by the English general James Oglethorpe, Augusta owes its name to Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, wife of Frederick, Prince of Wales. In the 1760s, it became an important trading post thanks to its watercourse, and many tobacco growers from Virginia settled there and built beautiful homes, such as Ezekiel Harris House (1822 Broad Street).Augusta became the capital of the new state of Georgia from 1786 to 1795. Among the most important personalities of this period was Governor George Walton (1749-1804), who signed the Declaration of Independence, who had his superb Meadow Garden residence built in the heart of the city (1320 Independence Drive).During the War of Independence, many free slaves came to Augusta, creating the village of Springfield (integrated with the city and formerly located at Springfield Village Park - Reynolds Street) near the river. They built Springfield Baptist Church, one of the oldest free black churches in America (112 Twelve Street).In the 1820s, Augusta played an important role in the economic development of the United States through cotton cultivation. The latter quickly replaced the prolific tobacco. The creation in 1845 of the Augusta Canal allowed the further development of industry and commerce.During the Civil War, Augusta became a major armaments manufacturing centre for the Confederate forces.Today, Augusta is a pleasant city to visit, especially for discovering its rich historical heritage and the recreational opportunities offered by the Savannah River. The city is known for its international golf tournaments, such as the Masters of Golf, which is the first Grand Slam event. This event traditionally takes place in the second week of April.

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