# North Carolina

> state of the United States of America

**Wikidata**: [Q1454](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1454)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolina)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/north-carolina

## Summary
North Carolina is a state in the southeastern United States, admitted to the Union on November 21, 1789. Known as the "Tar Heel State," it is the ninth-most populous U.S. state with a population of approximately 10.4 million as of 2020. The state capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte.

## Key Facts
- **Admission to the Union**: November 21, 1789.
- **Capital**: Raleigh (since 1792).
- **Largest City**: Charlotte.
- **Population**: 10,439,388 (2020 estimate).
- **Area**: 53,821 sq mi (139,391 km²), including water.
- **Nickname**: "The Tar Heel State," "The Old North State."
- **Motto**: *Esse quam videri* ("To be, rather than to seem").
- **Highest Point**: Mount Mitchell (6,684 ft / 2,037 m).
- **Lowest Point**: Atlantic Ocean (sea level).
- **Borders**: Virginia (north), South Carolina (south), Tennessee (west), Atlantic Ocean (east).
- **Time Zones**: Eastern Time Zone (UTC−5:00 to −4:00).
- **ISO Codes**: US-NC, Alpha-2: NC.
- **Demonym**: North Carolinian.
- **Official Language**: English (de facto).
- **U.S. Senators**: Thom Tillis (R), Ted Budd (R) (as of 2023).
- **Governor**: Roy Cooper (D) (as of 2023).
- **Electoral Votes**: 16 (as of 2024).
- **Admitted as the 12th State**: November 21, 1789.

## FAQs
**What is North Carolina known for?**  
North Carolina is renowned for its natural beauty, including the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Outer Banks. It is a leader in banking (Charlotte is a major financial hub), technology (Research Triangle Park), and agriculture (tobacco, poultry).

**When did North Carolina join the United States?**  
North Carolina ratified the U.S. Constitution on November 21, 1789, becoming the 12th state.

**What are North Carolina's major cities?**  
The largest cities include Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Winston-Salem. The Raleigh-Durham area is part of the Research Triangle, a global tech and biotech hub.

**What is the economy of North Carolina driven by?**  
Key industries include finance (Charlotte), technology (Research Triangle Park), healthcare, manufacturing (textiles, furniture), and agriculture (tobacco, poultry, sweet potatoes).

**What are North Carolina's political leanings?**  
North Carolina is a swing state, with competitive elections between Democratic and Republican candidates. It has 16 electoral votes as of 2024.

## Why It Matters
North Carolina holds significant historical, economic, and cultural importance. As one of the original 13 colonies, it played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. Today, it is a hub for technology, finance, and healthcare, contributing substantially to the U.S. economy. Its diverse geography supports agriculture, tourism, and industry, while its research institutions (e.g., Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill) drive innovation. Politically, it reflects national trends, making it a critical state in federal elections.

## Notable For
- **First in Flight**: Home to the Wright brothers' first powered flight (Kitty Hawk, 1903).
- **Research Triangle Park**: One of the world's largest research parks, fostering tech and biotech growth.
- **Banking Hub**: Charlotte is the second-largest financial center in the U.S. after New York City.
- **Barbecue Culture**: Renowned for its distinct barbecue styles (vinegar-based, Lexington-style).
- **Natural Diversity**: From the Appalachian Mountains to the Outer Banks, offering varied ecosystems and tourism opportunities.
- **Historic Sites**: Includes the Biltmore Estate, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Wright Brothers National Memorial.

## Body
### History
North Carolina was part of the Province of Carolina, chartered in 1663. It became a royal colony in 1712 and played a key role in the American Revolution, notably at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse (1781). The state's economy historically relied on tobacco, textiles, and furniture manufacturing.

### Geography
- **Mountain Region**: Home to the Blue Ridge Mountains, including Mount Mitchell (highest peak east of the Mississippi River).
- **Piedmont Region**: Central region with major cities like Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham.
- **Coastal Plain**: Eastern region featuring the Outer Banks and Cape Hatteras.

### Economy
- **Finance**: Charlotte is a major banking center, hosting Bank of America's headquarters.
- **Technology**: Research Triangle Park (RTP) hosts companies like IBM, Cisco, and SAS Institute.
- **Agriculture**: Leading producer of tobacco, sweet potatoes, and poultry.
- **Tourism**: Attractions include the Biltmore Estate, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

### Culture
- **Barbecue**: Four distinct regional styles (Eastern, Lexington, Southwestern, and Western).
- **Music**: Birthplace of bluegrass and significant in country and gospel music.
- **Sports**: Home to NASCAR, the Charlotte Hornets (NBA), and the Carolina Panthers (NFL).

### Education
- **Research Triangle**: Includes Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, and NC State University.
- **Public Universities**: Part of the University of North Carolina system, with 17 campuses.

### Politics
- **Swing State**: Competitive in presidential elections, with 16 electoral votes.
- **Current Leadership**: Governor Roy Cooper (D) and Senators Thom Tillis (R) and Ted Budd (R).

### Demographics
- **Population Growth**: Rapid growth in urban areas like Charlotte and Raleigh.
- **Urban vs. Rural**: Majority urban population (81.5% as of 2022), with rural areas in the west and east.

### Environment
- **Climate**: Humid subtropical, with hot summers and mild winters.
- **Natural Hazards**: Vulnerable to hurricanes (e.g., Hurricane Florence, 2018) and occasional snowstorms.

### Infrastructure
- **Transportation**: Major airports include Charlotte Douglas International and Raleigh-Durham International.
- **Highways**: Interstate 85, I-95, and I-40 connect key cities.

### Notable Figures
- **Historical**: Wright brothers, Thomas Wolfe, Michael Jordan.
- **Modern**: CEOs of Bank of America and Lowe's, politicians like Roy Cooper.

### Related Entities
- **Bordering States**: Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee.
- **Major Rivers**: Yadkin, Catawba, Neuse, Cape Fear.
- **National Parks**: Great Smoky Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, Cape Hatteras.

## References

1. [Source](https://abc11.com/post/roy-cooper-sworn-in-as-north-carolina-governor/1680582/)
2. [Source](https://www.wbtv.com/2025/01/01/josh-stein-sworn-newest-governor-north-carolina/)
3. archINFORM
4. [Source](https://www.britannica.com/place/Raleigh-North-Carolina)
5. [Source](https://www.ncpedia.org/symbols/song)
6. BnF authorities
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Czech National Authority Database
10. FIPS 10-4
11. datos.bne.es
12. MusicBrainz
13. [2010 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0100000US%241600000&y=2010&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29)
14. [Population Estimates Program](https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest.html)
15. [Source](https://www.census.gov/data/datasets/time-series/demo/popest/2010s-national-total.html#par_textimage_1810472256)
16. [2020 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Populations%20and%20People&g=0100000US,%241600000&y=2020)
17. NCpedia
18. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Detailed%20Tables)
19. GeoNames
20. BBC Things
21. Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
22. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
23. United States Summary: 2010, Population and Housing Unit Counts, 2000 Census of Population and Housing
24. [Source](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g28954-North_Carolina-Vacations.html)
25. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
26. Google Maps
27. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Income%20and%20Poverty&g=0100000US,%241600000&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1902)
28. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
29. [Source](https://www.ncpedia.org/symbols/colors)
30. [Source](https://www.minimum-wage.org/wage-by-state)
31. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Karolina-Polnocna;3920671.html)
32. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
33. Golden
34. KBpedia
35. [Source](https://github.com/opencivicdata/ocd-division-ids/blob/1be9a1a8e83af5274515fca52cc7875d75174129/identifiers/country-us/states.csv)
36. [Source](https://entities.oclc.org/worldcat/entity/E39PBJqW4fbp3DFmdyrBFFbfMP.html)