Atlanta (pronounced /ətˈlæntə/, /ætˈlæntə/, colloquially /ætˈlænə/) is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2009 Atlanta had an estimated population of about 540,922 people. Its metropolitan area is the ninth largest in the country, inhabited by more than 5.4 million people. The Atlanta Combined Statistical Area has a population approaching six million, making it the most populous metropolis in the Southeastern United States. Like many areas in the Sun Belt, the Atlanta region has seen explosive growth since about 1976, and it added about 1.1 million residents between 2000 and 2008.Atlanta is considered to be a top business city and is a primary transportation hub of the Southeastern United States - via highway, railroad, and air.Atlanta is the county seat of Fulton County and the location of the seat of government of the State of Georgia. A small portion of the City of Atlanta corporate limits extends eastwards into DeKalb County. Residents of Atlanta and its surroundings are known as "Atlantans".