Why Atlanta became the mega metro in the south?

[David Hume]

Atlanta is the overwhelmingly largest metro south of DC and east of Huston. Yet it does not enjoy major geographic advantages like New Orleans and Miami, or historical importance like Richmond. While it's ATL, instead of, say, Charlotte, Savannah, Charleston, etc, that serve as the mega metro in the south?

[David Hume]

Because it's a key transportation hub.

Started as the 'Terminus' (right in the city's original name) of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, and continued to expand due to Hartsfield-Jackson, which has historically been the world's largest airline hub.

Interesting. But I guess during the time when railroad was important, there should be many other cities serving as hubs? Why ATL was the most important one?

I know ATL is one of the largest airline hub since it was the base of Delta, but that should be after ATL became a mega metro?

[David Hume]

Because it's a key transportation hub.

Started as the 'Terminus' (right in the city's original name) of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, and continued to expand due to Hartsfield-Jackson, which has historically been the world's largest airline hub.

Interesting. But I guess during the time when railroad was important, there should be many other cities serving as hubs? Why ATL was the most important one?

I know ATL is one of the largest airline hub since it was the base of Delta, but that should be after ATL became a mega metro?

It had the geographic advantage. It was where the north-south railroads going from NY southwards terminated or 'turned' East-West around the Appalachians into the southern interior. Before the civil war it was a major rail hub, but this location ensured the city would rise from the ashes and become an even bigger rail hub after industry came southwards.

Thanks!

Were there any other railroad hubs in the south with similar geographic advantages to ATL? If so, why didn't they become mega metro? ATL was smaller than Savannah before 1880s, so I guess there should be some other important hubs back then.