Area code 205 serves central and western Alabama, including Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and parts of the Black Belt region. One of the original area codes from 1947, 205 once covered the entire state before being split multiple times. Known for its deep cultural and civil rights history, this region includes major educational institutions such as the University of Alabama. Overlay area code 659 was introduced in 2019, requiring ten-digit dialing. Area code 205 is widely recognized throughout Alabama and remains significant in business, media, and education across the South.