Basic Information About North Carolina

North Carolina is the ninth most populous US state with about 10.7 million residents and covers 53,819 square miles. The state capital is Raleigh. North Carolina became the first state to pass 10 million residents in the 2020 census.

Nickname: The Tar Heel State — originating from the Civil War. North Carolina troops were said to have "tar on their heels" because they held their ground in battle (they wouldn't slip or retreat). The term referred to North Carolina's historically significant naval stores industry — tar, pitch, and turpentine from longleaf pine forests.

Statehood: November 21, 1789 — the 12th state to ratify the Constitution.

State Flower: Dogwood.

State Bird: Cardinal (Northern Cardinal).

State Tree: Longleaf Pine.

Climate: North Carolina has three distinct climate zones matching its geographic regions. The mountains have a cooler, wetter climate with genuine four-season character. The Piedmont is humid subtropical with hot summers and mild winters. The Coastal Plain has a warmer subtropical climate with hurricane exposure.

Geography: North Carolina spans from the Atlantic Ocean to the Appalachian Mountains in three distinct regions: the Coastal Plain (40% of the state), the Piedmont (40%), and the Mountains (20%). Mount Mitchell (6,684 feet) is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.

History: North Carolina was the site of the first English settlement attempt in North America — the "Lost Colony" of Roanoke Island (1587), which disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The Wright Brothers made the first successful powered airplane flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903.

Economy: The Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) is one of the most significant technology and research corridors in the US. Banking (Bank of America, headquartered in Charlotte, is the second-largest bank in the US), manufacturing, and agriculture are also major sectors.