North Carolina facts

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Description From the coastal areas to its western boundaries, American Indian tribes inhabited the North Carolina area for centuries. The first English colony in the New World was established here in 1585 on Roanoke Island In 1587, the people within the colony vanished, and the mystery of their disappearance remains today. In 1776 North Carolina became the first colony to vote for independence from England, and after the Revolutionary War it became the 12th state in 1789. It took years for the land to reach its full potential, but by the mid-1830s, its agricultural and manufacturing industries began to prosper, anchored by tobacco. North Carolina joined the Confederacy during America's Civil War. It contributed the most troops to that war, and suffered over 25% of all casualties. Reconstruction brought hydro-electric power and the resurgence of its tobacco industry. In the opinion of many, North Carolina was the site of "Modern mankind's single most important event," as the Wright Brother's first flight occurred here. Today it's famed for furniture manufacturing, and the high-tech industries in the Research Triangle encompassing Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. It's also home to some of the most beautiful scenery in America, including Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and the nation's busiest national park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Read more about North Carolina here! Facts and Figures Statehood November 21, 1789 (12th) Capital Raleigh Currency U.S. Dollar (conversion rates) here North Carolina Quarter (new) here Language English (official) Largest Cities (by population) Charlotte, Raleigh, Greenville, Winston-Salem and Durham (all cities here) Lat/Long 35º 82' N, 78º 66' W Origin of Name Using the Latin name for Charles (Carolus), it was named for King Charles the I of England Population 8,320,146 (11th) Population Details (and more) here Statewide Business (facts & figures) here Flag and Symbols Bird Cardinal Flag here Flower Dogwood Fish Channel Bass Gem Emerald Mottos "To Be, Rather Than To Seem" Nickname "The Tar Heel State" definition of that nickname here Reptile Eastern Box Turtle Song "The Old North State" State Seal here Tree Pine Land Statistics Area 53,821 sq miles (29th) (Land) 48,708 sq. miles (Water) 5,103 sq. miles Bordering States (4) Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina Number of Counties (100) map here Largest County (by population) Mecklenburg, 695,454 Highest Point Mt. Mitchell, 6,684 ft Lowest Point Sea Level, Atlantic Ocean Length/Width 500 miles/150 miles Coastline 301 miles Shoreline (includes the offshore barrier islands) 3,375 miles Mean Elevation 700 ft. Geographic Center in Chatham LANDFORMS North Carolina has very distinct and individual geographic regions. In the far west corner, the Blue Ridge Mountains (a range of the Appalachian Mountains) cross the state. Its highest point - Mt. Mitchell, at 6,684 ft. - is found there. In addition, the Great Smoky Mountains run along its border with Tennessee. Almost 40% of the state is covered by the hilly Piedmont Plateau, a series of gentle to rugged hills, irrigated by numerous rivers - all flowing towards the Atlantic Ocean. The Coastal Plain begins to the east of Raleigh, and slopes to the lowlands and swamps of the Atlantic Ocean tidewater. The Outer Banks, a lengthy series of low-lying, sandy islands, run along it's jagged coastline. The much-photographed lighthouse at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, one known for its treacherous currents and shipwrecks. Many small lakes dots the valleys of the Piedmont, and significant rivers include the Roanoke and Yadkin, flowing south through the state to form the Pee Dee. For a closer look at the topography of North Carolina, view this map Landforms of America here Landforms of North America here Rivers of North America here North Carolina State Parks here Government Info U.S. President George W. Bush North Carolina Government web site North Carolina Assembly web site Famous Natives People listed are almost always native to the state. We do, on occasion, include those that have lived within a state for most of their adult life. "A mostly random selection" Thomas Hart Benton statesman Braxton Bragg soldier David Brinkley television newscaster Thomas L. Clingman soldier, politician Howard Cosell sportscaster Josephus Daniels journalist James Duke industrialist Roberta Flack singer Ava Gardner actress Billy Graham evangelist Kathryn Grayson actress Paul Green author Jesse Helms politician Andrew Johnson u.s. president Charles Kuralt television journalist Sugar Ray Leonard boxer Dolly Madison u.s. first lady Ronni Milsap country music singer Thelonious Monk musician Edward R. Murrow television journalist Floyd Patterson boxer Richard Petty auto racer James K. Polk u.s. president William Sydney "O. Henry" Porter author Earl Scruggs musician Thomas Wolfe novelist Is someone missing? 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Maps North Carolina County Map here North Carolina Outline Map here North Carolina Maps Univ. of Texas here North Carolina Highway Map here North Carolina Historic Map here North Carolina Historic Maps here North Carolina Precipitation Map here North Carolina Satellite Map here North Carolina Topographic Relief Map here U.S. States & Capitol Cities (a test) here U.S. MAPS (large selection) here USA MAP Clip Art (FREE) here CUSTOM USA MAPS created here Orville Wright Wilbur Wright and the history of their airplane here Recommended Links North Carolina Ancestry/Genealogy web site North Carolina Colleges & Universities here North Carolina Civil War History web site North Carolina Historical Preservation web site NEWSPAPERS Charlotte Observer web site Raleigh News Observer web site State of North Carolina web site U.S. National Park Service web site Time, Weather and more Area Codes here Time in North Carolina here Climate North Carolina is known for a moderate climate with long summers and mild winters, especially east and central. Conditions here vary based on elevation, and from the upper reaches of the Piedmont Plateau, and the high peaks of the western mountains, temperatures can change dramatically. Overall, January is the coldest month, with average high temperatures near 40 degrees, and much colder condition in the mountainous west. July is the warmest month, with average temperatures near 80 degrees, central and east. Temperatures are lower in the mountains. Annual precipitation (mostly spring and summer rains) averages near 50 inches, with considerably higher amounts in the mountains.. For a look at North Carolina precipitation levels view this map Current Weather Conditions in: Timeline of History (1540) The Hernando De Soto expedition explores the area (1584) Sir Walter Raleigh sends two ships to scout the area (1585) The first English colony in North America is established on Roanoke Island, but the settlement failed (1587) More ships and settlers arrive on the island, but the settlement is abandoned, with no trace of survivors (1658) The settlement at Edenton was built (1663) King Charles II grants the Carolina lands to eight Lord Proprietors (close loyalists) (1677) The short-lived "Culpeper's Rebellion" began, and was the first of its type attempted by the colonists (1718) The pirate Blackbeard was killed along the coast (1729) The King bought out the Lord Proprietors, and the land was now under royal jurisdiction (1776) North Carolina is the first colony to officially decide to vote for independence (1779) British forces, led by Lord Cornwallis, captured Charlotte during the Revolutionary War (1789) North Carolina becomes the 12th U.S. State (1861) Shortly after the Civil War began, North Carolina secedes from the Union, and joins the confederacy (1865) After suffering significant losses, the Confederate army laid down its arms (1868) North Carolina rejoins the Union (1870s) A long period of reconstruction began across the state (1884) The state takes the lead in overall cigarette production (1900) The economy is thriving, with cotton mills and furniture manufacturing leading the way (1903) Orville and Wilbur Wright fly a powered airplane at Kitty Hawk (1945) Fontana Dam is operational (1954) Hurricane Hazel strikes the state, causing significant damage, with losses in the millions of dollars (1960) The now famous sit-in of four black students at a lunch counter in Greensboro leads to statewide demonstrations (1994) The Raleigh-Durham area is voted the best place to live in the United States (1996) Hurricane Fran causes billions of dollars in damage across the state Traveler Information Attractions (a few major) Biltmore Estate, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and much, much more Electricity 110/120V, 60Hz Times to Travel With impressive parks, historic points-of-interest, stunning scenery and natural beauty, North Carolina offers a wonderful family vacation destination, at anytime of the year. North Carolina Accommodations For hotels all around the State of North Carolina here! Biltmore Estate here Cape Hatteras National Seashore here Great Smoky Mountains National Park here North Carolina Tourism web site North Carolina Tourism 800.847.4862 Raleigh Tourism web site Roadside America An online guide to offbeat attractions, and more here U.S. National Park Service web site Winston-Salem Tourism web site Visas United States entry requirements are the same in all states, with most foreign travelers requiring a visa. There are exceptions as Canadian citizens only need proof of that citizenship. Travelers coming to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less from qualified countries may be eligible to visit the U.S. without a visa. 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