VALDOSTA

city, seat (1860) of Lowndes county, southern Georgia, U.S. Troupville, the original town and county seat (1825), was moved 4 miles (6 km) east in 1859 to the present site to be on the right-of-way of the area's first railroad. The new town was named for Georgia governor George M. Troup's plantation, Valle d'Aosta (the name of an Italian region). Valdosta is a rail and commercial centre for tobacco, timber, and cattle with diversified manufacturing. It is also an important inland naval stores market, especially for turpentine. Tourism (based on numerous small fishing lakes to the south) and Moody Air Force Base, 12 miles (19 km) north, also contribute to the economy. Valdosta State College was established in 1906. Inc. town, 1860; city, 1901. Pop. (1992 est.) 41,481.