Area code 706 serves northern and western parts of Georgia outside of metro Atlanta, including cities such as Columbus, Rome, Dalton, and Athens—home to the University of Georgia. It was introduced in 1992 as a split from area code 404 to cover the broader northern Georgia region. In 2006, 762 was overlaid onto 706 due to continued population growth, introducing ten-digit dialing to the area. 706 spans a mix of mountainous regions, college towns, and historical sites. The area plays a role in agriculture, textile manufacturing, and education, particularly in the Appalachian foothills. It remains a versatile and widely used code across northern Georgia.