On the shores of Lake Chatuge, a man-made lake in northeast Georgia, Hiawassee serves as the county seat for Towns County. Hiawassee is approximately 110 miles from Atlanta & just a few miles south of the North Carolina border. A quiet, rural town for most of its existence, several events during the twentieth century helped Hiawassee become an important part of the economy & culture of the north Georgia mountains. The town's location at the junction of foot trails formerly used by Native Americans may have led to the town's name, which means "meadow" in Cherokee. Hiawassee now benefits from a tourism-based economy. The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds holds several events throughout the year, including a bluegrass festival in the spring & the ten-day Georgia Mountain Fall Festival, the modern version of the original fair. The town is a stopping point for hikers & nature enthusiasts, who come to the area to enjoy the many miles of trails in the Chattahoochee National Forest, including the Appalachian Trail, which follows the eastern border of Towns County as it heads into North Carolina. The Fred Hamilton Rhododendron Garden is a popular tourist stop. It is the largest rhododendron garden in the state & is named for the local resident who developed the only domestic yellow azalea in existence. Lake Chatuge remains a popular destination for both boaters & fishers, & numerous campgrounds & resorts have sprung up around the lake's shoreline.