Metropolitan Region, AL Land for Sale

Alabama's Metropolitan region covers the middle section of the state from east to west, and borders Mississippi to the west and Georgia to the east. It includes Birmingham and its surrounding counties, which is the largest city in the region and in the state of Alabama. Other large cities include Talladega, Jasper, Clanton and Tuscaloosa.

There are a number of protected areas in this region, most notable are Lake Lurleen State Park, Talladega National Forest, Cheaha State Park, in the foothill of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by the Talladega National Forest, Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama's largest park, Tannehill State Park, Weogufka State Forest and Wind Creek State Park, on scenic Lake Martin, a 41,000-acre reservoir for fishing and swimming with the largest state-operated campground in the country. Some other attractions in the region include Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, with 58,000 square feet of archives, galleries and temporary exhibits, McWane Science Center, Vulcan Park and Museum, the largest cast iron sculpture in the world, the Birmingham Zoo, Kelly Ingram Park, Railroad Park, the Southern Museum of Flight, Red Mountain Park, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens, a historic 1850s former plantation surrounded by six acres of landscaped gardens and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

The region has a diverse economy, with many of the region's major employers located in Birmingham and Jefferson County, and ranging from service industries such as banking and finance to health-related technological research and heavy industry. The region is world headquarters for one of the nation's top 10 banks and the second largest book retailer in the country. Birmingham is also known as a shopping destination in the state, with more than five major shopping centers in the area. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is Alabama's largest employer, in addition to the region's largest, with around 20,000 employees. Other major higher education institutions in the region include University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, University of West Alabama, Birmingham-Southern College, Judson College, Miles College, Stillman College, Talladega College, Miles College University of Montevallo, Jacksonville State University, Samford University, Central Alabama Community College, Community College of the Air Force, Bevill State Community College, Lawson State Community College, Jefferson State Community College, Shelton State Community College, Southern Union State Community College.

Jefferson is in the middle and northern part of the Alabama's Metropolitan region. It is the most populated county in the state and is named after Thomas Jefferson. Birmingham is the county seat, the largest city in the region and the most populated city in Alabama. There are around 25 other cities in the country, the largest being Homewood, Bessemer, Center Point and Mountain Brook. There are also around 40 other towns and unincorporated communities. Birmingham is a major center of economy, industry and culture in Jefferson County, the region and the state. In addition to attractions already mentioned, Jefferson County also has more than 90 county parks, with nearly 20 of those being designated historic districts. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is the largest employer in the county, and other higher education institutions in the county include Birmingham-Southern College, Samford University, Southeastern Bible College, Virginia College, Community College of the Air Force and Jefferson State Community College.

Shelby County is located just southeast of Jefferson County. It is named in honor of Isaac Shelby, the first Governor of Kentucky and Revolutionary War hero. Alabaster is the largest city and Columbiana is the county seat. A part of the large cities of Birmingham and Hoover are in Shelby County, and there are more than 30 other cities, towns and unincorporated communities. Shelby county is one of Alabama's fastest growing corporate locations, with the Interstate 65 corridor as a magnet for light industrial and wholesale distribution. Agriculture is important to the county's economy, with soybeans and cotton being the primary crops grown. Parts of the county are crossed by the Appalachian Mountains, such as Oak Mountain and Double Oak Mountain, but there are also large parts that are much flatter, and good land for farms and pastures. University of Montevallo is located in this county. Some attractions in Shelby County include Aldrich Coal Mine Museum, American Village, Cahaba River Wildlife Management Area, Colonial Promenade Alabaster, Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, Oak Mountain State Park, Old Shelby County Courthouse and Museum and Shelby Iron Works Park.

Calhoun County is located in the northeastern part of Alabama's Metropolitan region. It is named in honor of John C. Calhoun, a famous U.S. Senator from South Carolina. Anniston is the largest city and the county seat, with other cities being Clencoe, Jacksonville, Oxford, Piedmont, Southside and Weaver, with a number of cities partially in other counties. There are also less than 20 other towns and unincorporated communities. A portion of the Talladega National Forest, Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge and Cheaha state Park are located in Calhoun County. Other attractions include the Anniston Museum of Natural History, the Berman Museum of World History, Coldwater Covered Bridge, Janney Furnace Civil War and Native American Museum, Lake Chinnabee, with trails around the park leading to three beautiful waterfalls and Neely Henry Lake, with 11,000 acres for boating and fishing, as well as a number of historic sites, wineries and golf courses in the county. Jacksonville State University is located in Calhoun County.