The Gulf Coastal Plain covers over half of the state. A few islands in the Gulf of Mexico belong to Alabama, the largest of which is Dauphin Island. The state's population is over 4 million. Winter temperatures average about 8 C in the north and about 11 C in the south. Summer temperatures average about 27 statewide.
Snow falls in the northern region but is rare in the southern coastal areas.
Alabama's annual precipitation ranges from an average of 165 cm on the coast to 135 cm in the north. Cultural Profile Alabama has approximately sixty museums. The most popular museum is the Alabama Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. Art museums in the state include the Museum of Art in Birmingham, the Mobile Art Gallery, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Montgomery. The Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery is one of North America's finest theater complexes.