Augusta 1.35

Augusta–Richmond County is a consolidated city-county on the central eastern border of the U.S. state of Georgia, and located on the Savannah River, at the head of its navigable portion. It is in the Piedmont section of the state. The metro Augusta area is situated in both Georgia and South Carolina, which is divided by the Savannah River. Augusta's warm climate has made it a major tourist destination for the Eastern U.S. since the early and mid-1900s.The city was named after Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha (1719–1772).Augusta-Richmond County had a 2016 estimated population of 197,082, not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe. Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta–Richmond County Metropolitan Statistical Area, which as of 2015 had an estimated population of 590,146, making it the second-largest metro area in the state after Atlanta. It is the 92nd largest MSA in the United States.Internationally, Augusta is best known for hosting The Masters golf tournament each spring. The Masters brings over 200,000 visitors from across the world to the bright green Augusta National Golf Course. Membership at Augusta National is widely considered to be the most exclusive in the sport of golf across the world. Augusta is approximately two hours east of downtown Atlanta by car utilizing I-20.