Alabama. Approximately 4.8 million people call this beautiful state home. From our white sandy beaches to our beautiful majestic mountains, we have the best of both worlds. We have the most ridiculous weather patterns in the world. We are home to two of the best football teams in the nation (but then again, I am biased.) But if ya aren't from here, ya might not understand how we do things. So here's a short list to help you survive your visit to Alabama, because who knows? Maybe one day, you'll move to this great state.

1. If we say we're going to the store, we usually mean the Dollar General (aka the DG) or to Piggly Wiggly (aka The Pig).

2. Fried is considered a food group.

3. Barbecue sauce is better when it's white. (Seriously, it's perfect on any meat.)It was also created in Decatur, Alabama.

4. We take full credit for Mardi Gras because after all, it was started in Mobile, Alabama in 1703.

5. Any missing/unclaimed luggage has a 90% chance of ending up in this great state at Unclaimed Baggage in Scottsboro, Alabama. (Check it out here)

6. Even though our official state bird is the northern flicker, it might as well be the mosquito. They are everywhere all the time from April to November.

7. If you ask for tea, you better be prepared for ice cold sweet tea unless you specify otherwise.

8. When tornado sirens go off, everyone panicks (even when they are testing them.) That's just what happens when your state gets hit by an average of 22 tornadoes a year, and in the past 10 years, it has been hit by 3 tornadoes classified as F3 or higher. (Check out an article about it here)

9. Alabama is very rural, which means lots of hunters, which means lots of guns. It is not unusual for Alabamaians to have gun racks in their pickups, gun showcases in their homes, and guns on their hips.

10. We have Ave Maria Grotto, which is 125 miniature reproductions of famous religious structures including St. Peter's Church in Rome, located on 4 acres of St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama.

11. Huntsville, Alabama is home to the only space camp. (The University of Alabama in Huntsville also has the best aerospace engineering program but then again I am biased.)

12. Alabama is home to the National Peanut Festival - the largest peanut festival in the nation.

13. Tuscumbia, Alabama is home to the only coon dog cemetery in the world.

14. Alabama was the first state to declare Christmas a legal holiday, in 1836.

15. Alabama is the only state to have an alcoholic beverage as its official drink: Conecuh Ridge Whiskey.

16. The first 9-1-1 call was placed in Haleyville, Alabama.

17. In Magnolia Springs, Alabama, the U.S. Postal Service delivers mail by boat. It is the only year-round water delivery mail route in the country.

18. Fairhope is the cutest town ever. Hands down. Not biased on this one. It's not a tacky t-shirt tourist beach town, but rather full of history and adorable small town feel.

19. Sweet Home Alabama (starring Reese Witherspoon) is the perfect example of every stereotype Alabama has, and almost none of them are true.

20. Alabama is a beautiful place where strangers say hello and goodbye, wave, smile, and are just nice people all around. I am so proud to be from this great state.

*Also, don't be surprised if you're driving through and all you see is cotton fields for miles. We're kinda known for 'em.*