Information about the Mobile, Alabama region

Mobile, Alabama is the oldest city in the state (established in 1702) and began as the first capital of the French colony of Louisiana. Today, over 200,000 people live in in the city limits (with over 400,000 in the metropolitan region). The city is located on Mobile Bay with the Gulf of Mexico located approximately 50 miles (80 km) to the south. Five rivers enter Mobile Bay: Apalachee, Blakeley, Mobile, Spanish, and Tensaw. The bay's average depth is estimated to be about 3 meters.

Mobile weather is pleasant in October with rainfall typically the lowest of the year (at 2.9 inches, or 74mm). The average high temperature is 79.5ºF (26.4ºC) and the average low is 57ºF (13.9ºC). The city lies at the intersection of US Interstates 65 and 10. New Orleans, Louisiana lies 140 miles to the east and Atlanta, Georgia is 320 miles to the northeast. Three regional airports serve the Mobile area: Mobile Regional Airport (10 minutes from campus, 20 minutes from downtown), Pensacola (Florida) Regional Airport (50 miles to the east), and Gulfport-Biloxi (Mississippi) International Airport (50 miles to the west). These airports are served by American Airlines (American Eagle), Continental, Delta, Northwest and U.S. Airways.