North Carolina, the “Tar Heel State”, shares its borders with
Georgia,
South Carolina,
Tennessee and
Virginia in the
Southern United States. North Carolina features four distinct
seasons and an astoundingly diverse landscape, with the
Atlantic Beaches and majestic
Blue Ridge Mountains as the major borders. NC lies primarily
within a warm
temperate zone; however, such a varied topography results in a wide
range of regional weather conditions.
The
North Carolina Coastal Region nestles along the
Atlantic Ocean, where the
Gulf Stream helps maintain a warmer climate. Characterized by
beaches, sand dunes, wetlands, and the
Outer Banks’ barrier islands, this section of NC attracts millions of
tourists to its natural splendor each year. The Coastal Plain is home
to busy seaports, and numerous historic sites that range from
Civil War memorials to
Kitty Hawk. Several lighthouses such as
Cape Hatteras, which at 208 feet, ranks as the tallest brick lighthouse
in the nation, are also in this region.
The
North Carolina Mountain Region features the
Appalachian mountain chain and the
Great Smoky Mountains. This section of the Tar Heel state is the
site of
Mount Mitchell, which, at 6,685 feet is the tallest mountain in the
eastern US. Covered by hardwood forests, this mountainous region and
its 120 species of trees provide breathtaking foliage in fall, while the
winters find the peaks covered with snow.
Located in
NC’s heartland, the
Piedmont Region comprises more than half of the state. This
stunning region contains some of NC’s largest cities, and remains the
state’s economic dynamo. Characterized by gently undulating hills,
this region enjoys a mild year round climate.
More than 8 million residents called NC their home at the time of the
2000 Census; however, 2006 estimates indicate a 10.1% increase to
8,856,505 individuals.
Raleigh, NC’s capital city, accounts for nearly 280,000 of that total.
Charlotte, population 540,828, remains the largest city in
NC and boasts the
nation’s second largest banking industry. Other large urban areas
include
Asheville,
Cary,
Durham,
Fayetteville,
Greensboro,
High Point,
Wilmington, and
Winston-Salem.
North Carolina earned a gross state product of $314 billion in 2003 (Bureau
of Economic Analysis data), where
Wal-Mart,
Food Lion,
Duke University, and
Wachovia Bank were among the top employers. NC’s major
agricultural products include cattle, eggs, hogs, milk, nursery stock,
poultry, soybeans, and tobacco, while the chemical products, electric
equipment, machinery, textile goods, and tourism are the top industrial
outputs. Popular tourist destinations include
Chimney Rock Park near
Asheville,
Nag's Head,
Albemarle Sound, historic
Edenton,
Battleship NC near
Wilmington, and
Lowe's Motor Speedway in
Concord. NC also hosts the nation’s second largest film
industry, with major movie studios located in
Charlotte,
Raleigh-Durham,
Shelby and
Wilmington. Renowned television and film credits include
Cape Fear,
Dawson's Creek, and
One Tree Hill.
NC features excellent
public schools and a wide variety of
private schools in the majority of its cities and towns. Those
seeking higher education have a choice of top-notch public and private
institutions. Asheville,
Chapel Hill,
Charlotte,
Greensboro,
Pembroke and Wilmington host campuses of
The University of North Carolina. Additional post-secondary
facilities include
Appalachian State University in
Boone,
Barton College in
Wilson and Duke University in
Durham.
North Carolina,
U.S.A. offers options for career, education, and recreation, while
maintaining the historic ambiance and the southern charm of days gone by.
From the enchanting mountain views to the pristine beaches, North Carolina’s
captivating scenery has something for everyone.
Contact Us:
Dan Brady -
dbrady@bradynordgren.com, 919-782-3500
Tim Nordgren -
tnordgren@bradynordgren.com, 919-782-3500
Daire Roebuck -
daireroebuck@bradynordgren.com, 919-782-3500
