North Carolina ( The Tar Heel State / The Old North State ) 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. Some of the famous celebrities that were born in North Carolina include: Tori Amos, Pam Grier, Fred Durst, Andy Griffith, The Flag of North Carolina Ratified the Constitution on 1789 as the 12th State; flag adopted in 1885. The national colors, a star for Statehood, and the initials of the State are included. The dates are for the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (May 20, 1775) and the Halifax Resolves (April 12, 1776).   Largest Cities in the State (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   Business and Trade in North Carolina Agriculture: Poultry and eggs, tobacco, hogs, milk, nursery stock, cattle, soybeans. Industries: Poultry and eggs, tobacco, hogs, milk, nursery stock, cattle, soybeans. State Symbols and Emblems Bird: Cardinal Flower: American Dogwood (cornus florida) Tree: Longleaf Pine (pinus palustris) Song(s): The Old North State Motto: Esse Quam Videri (To Be Rather Than To Seem) North Carolina Travel - Vacation Destinations & Recreation National parks and historic locations suitable for family vacations or day trips. • Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge - Swan Quarter • Blue Ridge Lake - Murphy • Chatuge Lake - Murphy • National Forests in North Carolina: Croatan-Nantahala-Pisgah-Uwharrie National Forests - Asheville • Currituck National Wildlife Refuge - Knotts Island, NC 27950-0039

Capital: Raleigh     Local Weather  Statehood: 1789-11-21  Population: 8,049,313 (165.2 mi2)   Geographic Area (mi2)     Total 53,818.51     Water 5,107.63     Land 48,710.88     Rank 29th Largest   State Education:     Pub & Prv Schools     College & University     Libraries   Border States: Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia   Health Information:     Illicit Drug Use     Youth Risk Survey   Housing: In North Carolina, there are 3,523,944 housing units, averaging to 72.3 per sq mile.   Related Magazines:     Charlotte Business Journal     Inside Carolina Magazine     Charlotte Magazine     North Carolina Game & Fish     Our State North Carolina Magazine   Posters and Artwork Creek, Greensboro, North Carolina Pre-Matted Print 11" x 14" • Biltmore House, Asheville, North Carolina Pre-Matted Print 14" x 11" • Gazebo at an Observation Point, Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina, USA Photographic Print 24" x 8" • Biltmore House, Asheville, North Carolina Pre-Matted Print 14" x 11" • Interior, Grove Park Inn, Asheville, North Carolina Art Print 17" x 11" • Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, North Carolina Art Print 17" x 11"