Burke County is one of the largest counties in the eastern United States, with 832 square miles of land.
It produces cotton, corn, soybeans, wheat and peanuts.
Georgia Power Co. operates the Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant on the Savannah River at the county's eastern edge.
Formed in 1777 as one of the original eight counties in Georgia, Burke County had been called the St. George Parrish, but it was renamed to honor Edmund Burke, a member of the British Parliament who supported the interests of the American colonies.
Waynesboro, the county seat, was named for Revolutionary War hero "Mad Anthony" Wayne.
More information about Burke County's history can be obtained by contacting the Waynesboro/Burke County Museum and Visitors Center at 536 Liberty St., Waynesboro, GA 30830.
Hunting and fishing are important sports in Burke County, which bills itself as "The Bird Dog Capital of the World."
The Georgia Field Trials is one of the oldest hunting dog competitions in the nation. Burke County also is host to the Georgialina Field Trials and the Southeastern Field Trials.
Bream fishermen enjoy the Ogeechee River Redbreast Festival, held each May in Midville.
For history buffs, the Battle of Waynesboro Re-enactment and Living History Festival is held the first Saturday in December.
And the Cotton Country Festival celebrates the harvest of Burke County's most important crop.
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