Quick Facts: North Carolina

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North Carolina is a state in the Southeastern United States. It borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west, Virginia to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.

• ABBREVIATION: NC
• NICKNAME: The Tar Heel State
• POPULATION: 11,046,024 (2024 est.)
• CAPITAL: Raleigh
• STATE BIRD: Cardinal
• STATE FLOWER: Dogwood
• AREA: 53,819 sq. mi.
• TIME ZONE: Eastern
• ENTERED UNION: Nov. 21, 1789
• ALTITUDE: High, 6,684 ft. Mount Mitchell
• CLIMATE: Hot humid summers, mild winters in east; cool summers, cold winters, heavy rainfall in mountainous west.

In the west of this state rise the highest peaks of the Appalachian range. Along the Atlantic Coast in the east lie swamplands accurately known as “dismals”. And sprawling into the sea off the coast are the forbidding Outer Banks, around whose sandy shores and often tempestuous capes-Fear, Hatteras, and Lookout-rot the carcasses of uncounted wrecks.

Some of the isolated Outer Banks families trace their ancestry to sailors and colonists who were shipwrecked many generations ago. They speak in old English dialects and celebrate Christmas during the Christian festival known as Epiphany.

Between the extremes of west and east are the rolling hills of the Piedmont and the coastal plains. North Carolina has more than 50,000 farms comprising 29% of the state’s land (2004 est.), and ranks 7th in profits from farmland.

North Carolina produces more tobacco and sweet potatoes than any other state and ranks second in Christmas tree cash receipts. It is also a principal grower of peanuts, corn, and hay.

The Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina

In industrial as well as agricultural output North Carolina has been a leader in the southeastern states. The state has at its disposal ample hydroelectric power generated by the rivers of the Piedmont region as they fall from the heights of the Appalachians.

It was once the leading manufacturer of textile goods in the United States, although, as most of the industry has switched production to other countries, textile industry jobs continue to decline. With extensive forests of pine, oak, poplar, hickory, fir, and maple, North Carolina was a natural to become a center of production for the furniture business.

Today, many of the biggest names in furniture production display their furniture to the industry at the Highpoint marketplace in North Carolina.

Fun Facts:

• On December 17, 1903 the Wright brothers made the first successful human-powered flight at Kill devil Hill near Kitty Hawk on the Outer Banks.
• North Carolina has the nation’s largest state-maintained highway system, with more than 77,000 miles of roadway (2011 est.).
• Edward Teach, also known as the notorious pirate Blackbeard, used Ocracoke Island, part of the Outer Banks, as a hideout. The place off Cape Fear where he was killed is known as Teach’s Hole.
• More than 1,250,000 bricks were used to build the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
• The first Pepsi was created and served in New Bern, North Carolina in 1898.
• The first English child born in America, Virginia Dare, was born in Roanoke, North Carolina, in 1587. Her parents were Eleanor and Ananias Dare, and she was named after the Virginia Colony.

History:

North Carolina, one of the original thirteen colonies, has a deep and influential history that reflects the broader American experience—from early Native American civilizations and English colonization to Civil War struggles and modern innovation. Its story is shaped by rich cultural diversity, resilience, and a deep connection to the land and the people who have called it home.

Long before Europeans arrived, North Carolina was inhabited by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Prominent tribes such as the Cherokee, Tuscarora, and Catawba lived across the state’s diverse landscapes—from the Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic Coast. These communities had complex societies with strong traditions of farming, hunting, and trade.

In the late 16th century, North Carolina became the site of England’s first attempt to establish a colony in the New World. In 1585, Sir Walter Raleigh sponsored an expedition to Roanoke Island.

The second group of settlers, sent in 1587, mysteriously vanished, leaving behind only the word “Croatoan” carved into a tree. This “Lost Colony” remains one of the greatest mysteries in American history.

Despite early failures, permanent European settlement began in the mid-1600s when English colonists moved south from Virginia. The region became part of the larger Carolina colony, which was later divided into North and South Carolina in 1712. In 1729, North Carolina became a royal colony under British control.

Throughout the 18th century, North Carolina’s economy was built on agriculture, especially tobacco, cotton, and naval stores like tar and pitch, which were essential to the British navy. The colony had a reputation for independence and resistance to authority. It played a key role in the American Revolution.

In 1775, North Carolinians issued the Mecklenburg Resolves, declaring British laws null and void—some historians consider this an early call for independence. In 1776, the Halifax Resolves made North Carolina the first colony to vote for independence from Britain.

North Carolina became the 12th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1789. During the 19th century, it remained largely rural and agricultural. The state seceded from the Union in 1861 and joined the Confederacy during the Civil War.

After the war, North Carolina faced the challenges of Reconstruction, racial tensions, and economic rebuilding.

The 20th century brought significant change. North Carolina evolved into an industrial and educational leader in the South. The textile and tobacco industries boomed, and new research and technology sectors emerged, particularly with the establishment of the Research Triangle Park in the 1950s.

The state also played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement, including the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins led by four African American college students.

Today, North Carolina is a dynamic state known for its universities, cultural contributions, and growing economy. Its diverse history—from Native traditions and colonial beginnings to scientific innovation—reflects its lasting legacy in shaping American life. With its blend of mountains, coastlines, and cities, North Carolina continues to bridge the past and the future.