The Georgia Colony was established in 1732 as the last of the original thirteen American colonies. Founded by James Oglethorpe, it was created as a place for debtors and the poor to start anew. The colony aimed to provide a buffer between the more prosperous colonies and Spanish Florida, promoting agriculture and trade. Located in the southeastern region of what is now the United States, Georgia was known for its fertile land and mild climate. The colony initially prohibited slavery, but this policy changed in the 1750s, leading to the growth of plantations and a significant increase in the enslaved population.