North Carolina, State in southeastern United States.
North Carolina is a southeastern state that stretches from the Appalachian ridges inland to barrier islands along the Atlantic shore. Forests cover much of the interior, while sandy beaches and low coastal plains face the ocean, separated by shallow sounds and estuaries.
Indigenous peoples lived here for thousands of years before English settlers arrived in the 16th century and named the region after King Charles. The territory joined the Union in 1789 and remained divided between northern and southern loyalties throughout the Civil War.
Motorsport and basketball shape everyday life: races in Charlotte draw families together, while college teams in Durham and Chapel Hill animate entire neighborhoods. The food culture centers on smoked pork paired with regional sauces that range from sweet to vinegar sharp, served at outdoor gatherings throughout the year.
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures and lower humidity for exploring both mountains and coast. Major highways run east to west through the central plain, while mountain roads in the west require slower travel with frequent curves.
The first powered flight took place here in 1903 when the Wright brothers lifted off at Kitty Hawk near the coast. Wild horses still roam free across the Outer Banks, a chain of barrier islands where herds have lived for centuries.
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