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United States of America

North Carolina

Administrative territorial entity Federated state First-level administrative division State of the United States

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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Location

United States

Inception

November 21, 1789

Capital city

Raleigh

Elevation above the sea

215 m

Reference

Part of

contiguous United States, South Atlantic states, The Carolinas

Shares border with

Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee

Address

North Carolina, USA

Website

https://nc.gov

GPS coordinates

35.67296,-79.03929

Latest update

December 14, 2025 17:57

Photos

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Photo license: Copyright

Photo author: Thomson200
Photo license: CC0

Discover North Carolina: parks, historic sites, beaches, and family attractions

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North Carolina offers a variety of places for all interests. You can explore the mountains in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where hiking trails lead through forests to waterfalls. Biltmore Estate in Asheville invites you to see its gardens and castles. History lovers can visit the battleship...

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North Carolina

North Carolina, State in southeastern United States.

Discover North Carolina: parks, historic sites, beaches, and family attractions

Biltmore Estate

Willys MB

Great Smoky Mountains

Dollywood

Lake Lanier

USS North Carolina

Bristol Motor Speedway

Mount Mitchell

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Kuwohi

Bank of America Stadium

South of the Border

Charlotte Motor Speedway

Carowinds

Neyland Stadium

Black Mountain College

Fury 325

Lake Norman

Darlington Raceway

Spectrum Center

Wofford College

Memorial Stadium, Clemson

Sanford Stadium

Grandfather Mountain

Brasstown Bald

North Wilkesboro Speedway

The Omni Grove Park Inn

Lake Jocassee

Alamance County

Alexander County

Alleghany County

Anson County

Ashe County

Avery County

Beaufort County

Bertie County

Bladen County

Brunswick County

Buncombe County

Burke County

Cabarrus County

Caldwell County

Camden County

Carteret County

Caswell County

Catawba County

Chatham County

Cherokee County

Chowan County

Clay County

Cleveland County

Columbus County

Craven County

Cumberland County

Currituck County

Dare County

Davidson County

Davie County

Duplin County

Durham County

Edgecombe County

Forsyth County

Franklin County

Gaston County

Gates County

Graham County

Granville County

Greene County

Guilford County

Halifax County

Harnett County