North Carolina is a state located in the northern part of the United States. The region has a beautiful climate and varied landscape. The northern part of the state is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and is famous for its beautiful beaches. In the center there are picturesque foothills. And to the west are the mountain ranges of the majestic Appalachian Mountains. They are covered with dense forests, most of which are considered protected areas. North Carolina attracts visitors with its distinctive architecture, historic neighborhoods, gorgeous beaches, lush parks, picturesque headlands and exciting entertainment venues.

North Carolina is one of the 13 original states that created the United States, and is located on the Atlantic coast halfway between New York and Florida, bounded on the north by Virginia, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by South Carolina and Georgia, and on the west by Tennessee. North Carolina’s topography is among the wettest in the country, with extensive marshes in the coastal tidal zone and with numerous lakes in the Piedmont and Appalachian regions. These three physical regions make up much of the diversity of lifestyles and cultures within the state’s borders. The state capital is the city of Raleigh. The state has an area of 53,819 square miles (139,391 square kilometers). Population (2019 estimate) 10,488,084.

North Carolina’s beginnings were closely associated with the earliest attempts at English colonization of North America. Roanoke Island in the northeast, part of a heavily rugged and island-fringed coast, was the site of the famous “lost colony,” which disappeared some time after the original landing in 1587. This eastern region retains some of the features of colonial life, while the Piedmont region, centered in Charlotte and Raleigh, has become the center of industry and residence for most of the state’s population. The mountains to the west remain the focal point of a vibrant rural culture, including the indigenous Cherokee community that lived in the region for centuries.

Since the mid-20th century, North Carolina has experienced population growth at a much higher rate than the national average. Much of this was due to a vibrant economy that featured one of the strongest manufacturing sectors in the country – and the strongest in the South. At the same time, the state’s service sector also expanded, in keeping with national economic trends. North Carolina’s prosperity, natural beauty, and reputation for stable government gave it fame as a state of progress and opportunity, even as it maintained its strong Southern identity.

North Carolina belongs to the South Atlantic states of the United States. It neighbors Virginia to the north and Tennessee to the west. The state ranks first in the United States in tobacco production. Agriculture is also well developed here, with many farmers growing organic produce.