All About North Carolina
With beautiful mountain views and even a centuries-old island mystery, North Carolina has a lot to offer both residents and tourists. The Mini Page learns more about what makes North Carolina special this week.
12th state
North Carolina, a
Southern state, stretches from the Atlantic Ocean on the east through farmlands and hills to the mountains of the western border.
The state is a leader in the production of wooden furniture, tobacco goods and chemicals.
Services such as health care, research, and financial and medical facilities are also important.
The first English settlers built their colony on Roanoke Island off the North Carolina coast in 1585 and 1587. Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America, was born on Roanoke Island in 1587.
North Carolina became the 12th state in 1789. Today the state has more than 10.5 million people and is the ninth-most populated state.
Facts
Agricultural income includes money from chicken, hogs, peanuts, corn, soybeans and tobacco.
Three hundred miles of the Appalachian Trail wind through the mountains.
The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, with 250 rooms, is the largest privately owned home in America.
The state bird is the cardinal.
Charlotte is the largest city. It is a big financial center. It was named after Queen Charlotte of England. The state flower is the dogwood. Durham has many hospitals and is known as the City of Medicine. It is also the home of Duke University.
Emeralds are among the gems found in the state. North Carolina is called “nature’s sample case,” with more than 300 different minerals.
The nickname “Tarheel State” arose during the Civil War. North Carolina soldiers threatened to smear tar on retreating Confederate soldiers so they would “stick” better in the next fight.
The longleaf pine is the state tree. Forests cover 57% of the state.
Kill Devil Hills on the coast is the site of the Wright
Brothers’ first flight of a powered airplane.