Central Alabama

The Black Warrior River and its tributaries contribute to the fertile land of the area, and also serve as a demarcation line between the western and the central portions of the region.

Urban sprawl has exacerbated the risk of flooding by increasing the proportion of land covered by hard surfaces, leading to greater runoff during storms.

Large deposits of iron ore, limestone, and coal are chief among the plentiful mineral resources found in the region.

The coincidence of these three in close proximity was a major incentive for the rapid development of industry in the Birmingham District after the American Civil War.

Though the Mercedes-Benz and Honda automotive production facilities are not technically located in any of the Greater Birmingham metropolitan counties, they are both considered as substantial contributors to its economy.

Anniston, on the other hand, has also suffered a major blow on two fronts with the closings of Fort McClellan and many iron smelting facilities in the 1990s.