Top 15 Most Interesting Facts About North Carolina

1. State Motto: "Esse quam videri" (To be, rather than to seem).
2. State Bird: Northern Cardinal.
3. State Flower: Dogwood.
4. The Wright Brothers flew the first successful airplane at Kitty Hawk in 1903.
5. North Carolina is home to the largest private home in the U.S., the Biltmore Estate.
6. The state is known for its barbecue, with Eastern and Lexington styles being the most popular.
7. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, shared with Tennessee, is the most visited national park in the U.S.
8. Charlotte is the second-largest financial center in the United States after New York City.
9. The Blue Ridge Parkway, often called "America's Favorite Drive," runs through North Carolina.
10. The Outer Banks is home to Cape Hatteras, known for its iconic lighthouse and shipwreck history.
11. North Carolina has the largest furniture industry in the country and hosts the High Point Market, a globally renowned trade show.
12. The state is a major producer of sweet potatoes, leading the nation in production.
13. North Carolina is the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola, first created in New Bern in 1898.
14. The Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina are some of the oldest mountains in the world.
15. The state’s Research Triangle Park (RTP) is one of the largest research hubs in the world.

Geography of North Carolina

North Carolina's geography ranges from coastal plains to rolling Piedmont hills and the Appalachian Mountains. Key features include:

• Highest Point: Mount Mitchell (6,684 feet), the tallest peak east of the Mississippi River.
• Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean (sea level).
• Major Rivers: Cape Fear River, Neuse River, and Roanoke River.

A Brief History of North Carolina

North Carolina's history is deeply tied to its role in early American colonization and aviation:

• Originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Cherokee and Tuscarora.
• The first English colony in the Americas, Roanoke Island, was established in 1585 but mysteriously disappeared.
• North Carolina was one of the original 13 colonies and became a state on November 21, 1789.
• In 1903, the Wright Brothers made aviation history with their first flight at Kitty Hawk.

Top 10 Things to Do in North Carolina

1. Visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk.
2. Explore the Biltmore Estate in Asheville.
3. Drive the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway for stunning mountain views.
4. Relax on the beaches of the Outer Banks.
5. Hike to the summit of Mount Mitchell in the Great Smoky Mountains.
6. Explore the historic town of New Bern, the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola.
7. Tour the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte.
8. Visit the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh.
9. Attend the High Point Market for furniture and interior design inspiration.
10. Try Eastern or Lexington-style barbecue at a local restaurant.

Top 10 Destinations in North Carolina

1. Charlotte
2. Raleigh
3. Asheville
4. Outer Banks
5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Plan Your Visit

For more information about North Carolina, visit the state’s official tourism site: Visit North Carolina