States and Territories
North Carolina, the "Tar Heel State" "Old North State"
Abbreviation: NC
North Carolina is the northern portion of the original 1629 land grant made by England's King Charles I, which was named in his honor (Carolus is Latin for Charles). The first European settlement in North Carolina is the famous Lost Colony of Roanoke Island that vanished sometime after 1587. North Carolina joined the Union in 1789 and is the 12th of the original 13 states. One of its major industries is tourism, as many Americans travel to the state to enjoy its beautiful beaches. North Carolina has a long, attractive coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, characterized by many islands, reefs and sand bars. The state stretches westward from the coast across both swampland and fertile tobacco fields. Historic sites, battlefields, old mansions and beautiful gardens attract sightseers and students of American history.
GOVERNMENT
Capital: Raleigh
Governor: Mike Easley, D (seat up 2008)
Senators: Richard Burr, R (to Jan. 2011); Elizabeth Dole, R (to Jan. 2009)
House of Representatives: 13 districts | Search by zip code
STATISTICS
Population (April 2000): 8,049,313; National Rank: 11; Percent change since 1990: 21.4%; State Rank based on Percent Change: 9
Land Area: 48,718 sq mi. (126,180 sq km); National Rank: 28
10 largest cities (2000): Charlotte, 540,828; Raleigh, 276,093; Greensboro, 223,891; Durham, 187,035; Winston-Salem, 185,776; Fayetteville, 121,015; Cary town, 94,536; High Point, 85,839; Wilmington, 75,838; Asheville, 68,889
ECONOMY
Total Gross State Product 2001 (millions of dollars): 275,615; National rank: 12; Percent change since 1990: 49%; National Rank based on Growth Rate: 12 (Including Washington, DC)
Per Capita Personal Income 2001: $27,308; National Rank: 32 (90% of the national average)
State Exports 2002 (millions of dollars): 14,718; National Rank: 14
Agriculture: Poultry and eggs, tobacco, hogs, milk, nursery stock, cattle, soybeans.
Industry: Tobacco products, textile goods, chemical products, electric equipment, machinery, tourism.
Government
- Official State Homepage
- Project VoteSmart
- State and Local Government on the Internet
- Vital Records Information
Statistics
- North Carolina Profile - Fedstats
- Census 2000 Data for the State of North Carolina
- Census State Data Centers: North Carolina
Background
- Explore the States (Library of Congress)
- 50States.com
- InfoPlease
- Stately Knowledge
- State Symbols (State Library of North Carolina)
Travel
For Kids
Teacher Resources