Sprawling, Sprawling ...

Oh No, It's Spreading!

More than 3 million people are spread throughout Metro Atlanta. Studies show that 1 percent in population growth results in 10 to 20 percent growth in land consumption. In Atlanta, momentum is so great that the North Georgia mountains, by one estimate, could become part of Metro Atlanta by 2002.

VANISHING FORESTS

As Atlanta gains ground in miles, it loses ground of the green variety. Between 1974 and 1996, areas with 50 percent or more tree cover decreased by more than 44 percent, while areas with less than 20 percent tree cover increased by more than 60 percent.