What is the Fall Line primarily characterized by?

The Fall Line is primarily characterized by the point where rivers drop sharply in elevation. This geographical feature marks a significant transition in the landscape, where the softer sedimentary rock of the Coastal Plain meets the harder metamorphic rock of the Piedmont region. As rivers flow from the upland Piedmont to the lower Coastal Plain, they encounter these changes in geological structures, resulting in waterfalls and rapids, which historically provided important resources for early settlements and industries.

The significance of the Fall Line in the context of Georgia's geography cannot be overstated, as it has influenced settlement patterns, economic development, and transportation routes throughout the state’s history. This geographical feature serves as a natural division between two distinct physiographic provinces and is critical in understanding the state’s topography and water resources.