Augusta ( ə-GUSS-tə), officially Augusta–Richmond County, is a consolidated city-county on the central eastern link up of the U.S. state of Georgia. The city lies across the Savannah River from South Carolina at the head of its navigable portion. Georgia’s third-largest city (after Atlanta and Columbus), Augusta is located in the Fall Line section of the state.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Augusta–Richmond County had a 2020 population of 202,081, not counting the unconsolidated cities of Blythe and Hephzibah. It is the 116th-largest city in the United States. The process of consolidation in the company of the City of Augusta and Richmond County began like a 1995 referendum in the two jurisdictions. The fusion was completed upon July 1, 1996. Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta metropolitan area. In 2020 it had a population of 611,000, making it the second-largest metro Place in the state (after Atlanta). It is the 95th-largest metropolitan area in the United States.

Augusta was customary in 1736 and is named in rave review of Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha (1719–1772), the bride of Frederick, Prince of Wales and the mommy of the British monarch George III. During the American Civil War, Augusta housed the principal Confederate powder works. Augusta’s hot climate made it a major resort town of the Eastern United States in the early and mid-20th century. Internationally, Augusta is best known for hosting The Masters golf tournament each spring. The Masters brings beyond 200,000 visitors from in the region of the world to the Augusta National Golf Club. Membership at Augusta National is widely considered to be the most exclusive in the sport of golf vis-а-vis the world.

Augusta lies nearly two hours away from downtown Atlanta by car via I-20. The city is house to Fort Gordon, a major U.S. Army base. In 2016, it was announced that the new National Cyber Security Headquarters would be based in Augusta.