North Carolina is a Southeastern U.S. state bordered by Virginia, the Atlantic Ocean, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. It is the 28th-largest state by area and the ninth-most populous, with a 2024 estimated population of about 11 million. Raleigh is the capital, and Charlotte is the largest city and a major financial hub. The state has diverse geography with coastal marshlands, Piedmont urban areas, and Appalachian mountains. It has significant agricultural production including tobacco, sweet potatoes, and hog farming. North Carolina is known historically as one of the original 13 states, with early English colonization at Roanoke Island. Modern North Carolina has vibrant urban growth particularly around Charlotte and the Research Triangle, alongside substantial rural areas. It blends historical cultural roots with a modern economy featuring manufacturing, banking, and research.
Geography and Location
- Located on the Atlantic coast, between New York and Florida.
- Features coastal tidewater, Piedmont region, and Appalachian Mountains.
- Borders Virginia (north), Atlantic Ocean (east), South Carolina and Georgia (south), Tennessee (west).
Demographics and Economy
- Population approximately 11 million as of 2024.
- Major metropolitan areas: Charlotte (largest city), Raleigh (capital), Research Triangle.
- Economy includes finance, manufacturing, agriculture (notably tobacco and sweet potatoes).
History and Culture
- One of the 13 original U.S. states, with early English settlements such as the lost Roanoke Colony.
- Diverse culture including indigenous Cherokee communities and a significant African American population.
- Known nicknames: "Tar Heel State" and "Old North State."
Governance and Symbols
- Governor: Josh Stein (Democrat as of 2025).
- State bird: northern cardinal.
- State flower: flowering dogwood.
- Motto: "Esse Quam Videri" (To Be Rather Than To Seem).
