**Q:** What is the capital of Alabama? **A:** Montgomery.
**Q:** What is the largest city in Alabama? **A:** Huntsville recently surpassed Birmingham as the most populous city within its city limits, though the Birmingham metropolitan area remains the largest.
**Q:** What is Alabama's nickname? **A:** It is commonly known as the "Heart of Dixie" and the "Yellowhammer State."
**Q:** Does Alabama have a coastline? **A:** Yes, Alabama has a beautiful Gulf Coast shoreline featuring towns like Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Dauphin Island.
**Q:** What is the weather like in Alabama? **A:** Alabama has a humid subtropical climate with very hot, humid summers, mild winters, and abundant rainfall throughout the year.
**Q:** What are the major industries in Alabama? **A:** Key industries include aerospace and defense, automotive manufacturing, agriculture (poultry, forestry), and healthcare.
**Q:** What is the best time of year to visit Alabama? **A:** Spring (March to May) and Fall (September to November) offer the most pleasant weather, avoiding the extreme heat and humidity of summer.
**Q:** Is Alabama in "Tornado Alley"? **A:** Alabama is part of "Dixie Alley," a region in the southern U.S. that experiences severe, highly destructive tornadoes, particularly in spring and late fall.
**Q:** What is the official state food? **A:** While there isn't a single official state food, Alabama is famous for Southern cuisine, barbecue (including white BBQ sauce), and the state fruit is the blackberry.
**Q:** What is the U.S. Space & Rocket Center? **A:** Located in Huntsville, it is a massive museum showcasing the U.S. space program and serves as the visitor center for NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.
**Q:** Who were the Tuskegee Airmen? **A:** They were a group of primarily African American military pilots and airmen who fought in World War II, trained at Tuskegee Army Airfield in Alabama.
**Q:** How much is the state sales tax? **A:** The state base sales tax is 4%, but local county and city taxes can push the total rate to 10% or higher in some areas.
**Q:** Can I visit the Rosa Parks Museum? **A:** Yes, the Rosa Parks Museum is located in Montgomery on the very site where she was arrested.
**Q:** What is the Iron Bowl? **A:** The Iron Bowl is the fierce annual college football rivalry game between the University of Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn University Tigers.
**Q:** What are the major airports in Alabama? **A:** Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International (BHM) and Huntsville International (HSV) are the primary airports, with regional airports in Mobile and Montgomery.
**Q:** What is Muscle Shoals famous for? **A:** Muscle Shoals is famous for its recording studios (FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio), which pioneered a distinct, soulful sound in the 1960s and 70s.
**Q:** Does Alabama have state parks? **A:** Yes, the state operates 21 diverse state parks, ranging from Gulf State Park on the ocean to Cheaha State Park on the state's highest peak.
**Q:** What is the highest point in Alabama? **A:** Mount Cheaha, standing at 2,413 feet above sea level.
**Q:** What is the time zone in Alabama? **A:** Nearly the entire state observes Central Standard Time (CST), though Phenix City unofficially observes Eastern Time due to its proximity to Columbus, Georgia.
**Q:** What is the legal drinking age in Alabama? **A:** The legal drinking age is 21.