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With a long and varied history, Alabama became the focal point of Spanish explorers in the 16th century and was later settled by the French who established the first outpost at Mobile in 1702.

Later under British rule, Alabama territory officially became part of the new United States following the Revolutionary War.

As the drums of war again sounded in the mid-1800's, Alabama gave rise to the southern Confederacy when, for a short period beginning in 1861, Montgomery was chosen as the Confederate capital.

Following the Civil War, Alabama's economy continued to depend largely on agriculture, and here is were Booker T. Washington performed his famous agricultural research at Tuskegee Institute.

In the 20th century, Alabama was in the spotlight as the scene of the historic civil-rights movement led by Martin Luther King, Jr. including a bus boycott in Montgomery begun in 1955, and the “Freedom March” from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.

Today, major Alabama tourist attractions include the sun and sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast area, and a network of scenic & beautiful state parks. Other top attractions include the King Center, the Rosa Parks Museum & Library, Bellingrath Gardens in Theodore and the USS Alabama in Mobile.

Currently, the state's Gulf coast is continuing to recover from the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina. On the Web, most towns and cities report continued progress with regular news postings announcing major tourist site re-openings up and down the coast...

More about Alabama travel around the Web:

800Alabama - Check out what's going on statewide with news & updates, event schedule, places to go, and things to see from the mountains to major metropolitan areas including information on state parks, driving maps, pictures, hotel and restaurant info.

Beautiful North Alabama - What's doing in the northern corridor with a complete schedule of festivals throughout the year, visitor attractions, hotels, online booking of special deals and travel packages, related links, maps & pictures.

Mobile Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau - Breaking news on recent re-openings plus the complete guide to Gulf Coast area attractions, trip planner, picture gallery, area maps, hotels, restaurants and suggested nightlife.

Huntsville / Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau - One-stop browsing for all there is to see in the area with online hotel booking, group tour planner, dining guide, golf destinations, event schedule, picture gallery, maps.

Alabama Attractions, Roadside America - Featuring the weird, unusual and generally offbeat attractions throughout Alabama including the world's largest chair in Anniston, Vulcan the Iron Man in Birmingham, and the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro. And more.

Alabama Summer Travel Calendar:

also see -> Alabama Gulf Coast Beaches | Alabama Fall Foliage

Alabama Wine Tours | Christmas in Alabama | Moving to Alabama

Greater Gulf State Fair | Martin Luther King Jr. Day