North Carolina - The Tar Heel State

About North Carolina

North Carolina is a southeastern state with a population of nearly 11 million, making it the ninth-most populous state. The state capital is Raleigh, which forms one point of the famous Research Triangle along with Durham and Chapel Hill. Charlotte is the largest city with 875,000 residents and serves as the nation's second-largest banking center after New York City. North Carolina was one of the original Thirteen Colonies and the twelfth state to ratify the Constitution.

North Carolina's geography spans from the Atlantic Ocean to the Appalachian Mountains, giving rise to the state motto "From Murphy to Manteo" (west to east). This diversity encompasses the Outer Banks barrier islands, coastal plains, Piedmont plateau, and majestic Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. The state experiences a range of climates from subtropical coastal areas to temperate mountain regions. This geographic variety has shaped North Carolina's development and economy.

The state has a robust, diversified economy ranking 11th nationally in GDP. North Carolina leads the nation in furniture production, tobacco products, and is a major force in textiles, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and banking. The Research Triangle Park, established in 1959, is one of the largest research parks in the world and anchors a thriving technology sector. Charlotte hosts the headquarters of Bank of America and the East Coast operations of Wells Fargo. North Carolina is also home to the largest military installation in the world by population, Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty).

Major Cities

Research Triangle & Innovation

North Carolina is a global leader in research, technology, and innovation:

• Research Triangle Park: Largest research park in North America (7,000 acres), over 300 companies, 55,000+ employees
• Three Major Universities: Duke University (Durham), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC State University (Raleigh)
• Biotechnology: Major hub for pharmaceutical and biotech companies, clinical research
• Technology Sector: Software development, data science, cybersecurity, growing tech startup scene
• Medical Research: Duke University Hospital, UNC Health, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
• Corporate Presence: IBM, Cisco, SAS Institute, Lenovo, Red Hat, and many others
• Education: Over 100 colleges and universities, highly educated workforce

Economy & Industry

North Carolina has a strong, diverse economy with multiple major sectors:

• Banking & Finance: Charlotte is 2nd largest banking center in US, Bank of America and Truist Financial headquarters
• Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals: Major research and manufacturing, vaccine production, clinical trials
• Technology: Software, IT services, data centers, telecommunications
• Manufacturing: Furniture, textiles, tobacco products, food processing, aerospace
• Agriculture: Tobacco, sweet potatoes, hogs, poultry, Christmas trees, soybeans
• Military: Fort Bragg/Liberty, Camp Lejeune, multiple bases contribute $60+ billion annually
• Tourism: Outer Banks, Great Smoky Mountains, Asheville, Wilmington beaches, Blue Ridge Parkway

History & Culture

North Carolina has a rich history dating back to the Lost Colony of Roanoke (1587), the first English attempt at permanent settlement in the Americas. The colony mysteriously disappeared, and the word "CROATOAN" carved into a tree remains one of American history's enduring mysteries. North Carolina was one of the Thirteen Colonies and played a significant role in the American Revolution.

During the Civil War, North Carolina was the last state to join the Confederacy but contributed more troops and suffered more casualties than any other Confederate state. After the war, the state's economy transformed through industrialization, particularly in textiles, tobacco, and furniture. The 20th century saw North Carolina emerge as the "New South" with economic diversification and the establishment of Research Triangle Park.

North Carolina's cultural contributions are significant. The Wright Brothers achieved the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903. The Greensboro sit-ins of 1960 helped spark the national civil rights movement. North Carolina is the birthplace of bluegrass music legend Earl Scruggs, jazz legend Thelonious Monk, and numerous literary figures. The state has a passionate college basketball culture, particularly the Duke-UNC rivalry.

Interesting Facts

Neighboring States

Also borders: Atlantic Ocean (East)