Map of North Carolina and Flag | North Carolina Outline, Counties and Road Map

Interesting Facts about North Carolina and best places to visit

Illustrated map of the state of North Carolina in United States with cities and landmarks. Editable vector illustration

Map of North Carolina | North Carolina Outline, Cities, Counties and Road Map

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Where is North Carolina on the map?

Located in the south eastern United States, with the Atlantic ocean to its east and the state of Tennessee to its west, is the state of North Carolina. It is the 28th largest state in the United States with a beautiful coastline, lush forests, and breathtaking mountain ranges.

What North is Carolina known for?  

North Carolina is known for its natural beauty. Whether it be the picturesque Blue Ridge mountains, the stunning, deep blue Mississippi river, or the beautiful 300 mile long coastline; North Carolina has an abundance of awe-inspiring natural scenery.

North Carolina Flag

North Carolina Flag
North Carolina Flag

North Carolina has had two flags; the first was adopted from 1861 to 1865, and the second from 1885 onwards. The first flag contained a red ribbon with a white star at its center. Above and below this star was the date, “May 20th 1775.” This is the date of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, a text published in 1819, with the claim that it was the first declaration of independence during the American revolution. 

The second, and currently adopted, flag contains a blue ribbon with a relatively smaller white star at its center. Above and below is the same date of 1775, but the letters “N” and “C”, to the left and right of the star respectively, are a new addition. The letters stand for (quite predictably), “North Carolina.” 

The North Carolina flag  bears the dates of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and of the Halifax Resolves, documents that place North Carolina at the forefront of the American independence movement.

Population of North Carolina

North Carolina has a population of about nine and a half million people; it is the 23rd most populous state in The United States. The majority of the population (68.5%) is white, followed by African-Americans at 21.5%. With a Christian population of 95%, North Carolina is a Christian majority state.

Languages spoken in North Carolina

The majority of North Carolina speaks English, with more than 89% of North Carolina residents speaking English as their primary language. However, languages like Spanish, German, and French are also spoken in many parts of the state.

Interesting facts about North Carolina

  • The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill is the oldest State University in the United States.
  • The Wright Brothers made their first successful powered flight in North Carolina.
  • The first English child born in America was born in North Carolina.
  • North Carolina is the largest producer of sweet potatoes in the United States.
  • Pepsi was invented in North Carolina.

Best Places to Places to visit in North Carolina

Biltmore – A historic house, museum, and tourist attraction, Biltmore is the largest privately owned house in the United States. It is located in Asheville, North Carolina.

Pisgah National Forest – Located in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina, Pisgah National Forest is a national forest administered by the United States Forest Service. 

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park – Located in Chimney Rock, Rutherford County, North Carolina, Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is a 8,014-acre state park owned and managed by the state of North Carolina. Important places to visit include: Hickory Nut Falls,  Chimney Rock, and the several hiking trails.

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site – Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is the location of Roanoke Colony, the first English settlement in the present day United States. It is located in Roanoke Island, North Carolina.

U.S. National Whitewater Center – Located in Charlotte, North Carolina on more than 1,300 acres of land is the U.S. National Whitewater Center,  an outdoor recreation and athletic training facility for ice skating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking. 

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad – Located in Bryson City, North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is a freight and heritage railroad.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore – Stretching over 70 miles, Cape Hatteras National Seashore  is a United States national seashore which preserves the portion of the Outer Banks of North Carolina from Bodie Island to Ocracoke Island. It has a history relating to shipwrecks and the U.S. lifesaving service.

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site –  Located at 81 Carl Sandburg Lane near Hendersonville in the village of Flat Rock, North Carolina, Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site preserves the home of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and writer Carl Sandburg. The site spans 264-acre and includes the goat farm, sheds, an apple orchard, Sandburg residence, rolling pastures, mountainside woods, 5 miles of hiking trails on moderate to steep terrain, two small lakes, several ponds, and flower and vegetable gardens.

North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island – Located on Roanoke Island, North Carolina, North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island features live encounters with alligators and stingrays.

Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum–  Located in Hatteras Village, the southernmost community on Hatteras Island, North Carolina, Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum preserves shipwrecks of the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

North Carolina colony facts

Preceding European contact, North Carolina was occupied by people of the Mississippian culture, a civilization originating from the Midwestern, Eastern, and Southeastern United States who were known for their complex urban settlements and trading routes. 

The Spanish are thought to be the first Europeans to make contact with the natives of North Carolina in 1540. The British tried to colonize the coast during the 1580s, building two colonies, however, both of these failed. 

The first permanent English settlers were colonists from Virginia. North Carolina and South Carolina, originally one joint state called “Province of North Carolina,” were among the “Thirteen Colonies.” The two states separated in 1729 because of their different economies and competing religious beliefs.   

2001 North Carolina state quarter

Designed by John Flanagan, William Cousins, and John Mercanti, the coin was released in March 2001 as part of the 50 state quarter program. The coin depicts the first fight that took place in Kill Devil Hills. Engraved at the bottom end is the iconic motto of the United states, “E pluribus Unum”- which translates to ” Out of many, one.” The quarter is made of about 92% copper and 8% nickel.

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See Also

US STATES MAPS AND FLAGS

Hi and welcome to my travel blog! Based in London, I work in investment banking in a quantitative field and although I am not part of the travel industry, I have a ton of passion for travel. My blog is a reference guide for my fellow travelers with the same passion as me. Hopefully the blog is easy to navigate and my aim is to bring the most relevant and interesting information before you begin your journey!