About North Carolina

North Carolina is an attractive place to live, work, start a business, go to school, retire or take a vacation. Here's the lowdown on the Old North State:

Climate

North Carolina enjoys the variety of four distinct seasons in three regions -- the western mountains, the central Piedmont and the vast eastern shoreline second only to Florida's in length. Our mostly moderate temperatures normally range between 27 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit and precipitation averages 48 inches per year. Current weather conditions can be found at the Weather Channel Web site.

Population

According to the U.S. Census Bureau , an estimated 8.8 million people call North Carolina home. Here are the state's five largest cities ranked by population:

Source: 2005 American Community Survey.

Economy

  • Total Gross State Product 2004 [in millions]: $335,398; National Rank: 11
  • Per-capita Personal Income 2000: $27,194; National rank: 30
  • State Exports 1999 [in millions]: 15,007; National rank: 13
  • Primary agricultural products: Poultry, eggs, tobacco, hogs, milk, nursery stock and soybeans.
  • Industry: Tobacco products, textile goods, chemical products, electric equipment, machinery and tourism.

Education

Transportation

North Carolina has three international airports (Raleigh-Durham, Piedmont Triad and Charlotte Douglas), five interstate highways, 4,000 miles of railroad and two deep-water sea ports. The state's highway system also includes 78,350 miles of roads— the second largest collection in the nation. North Carolina also has 17,250 bridges spanning 380 miles.

State Government

Recreation

North Carolina is home to miles of parks and the state's geography is perfect for those seeking time outdoors. From the mountains to the beaches, the state can satisfy.

Professional sports teams

  • Carolina Hurricanes: The former Hartford Whalers franchise, based in Raleigh, played in the Stanley Cup finals in 2002 and won the coveted championship in 2006.
  • Carolina Panthers: This NFL team began play in 1995.
  • Charlotte Bobcats: The NBA's newest franchise.
  • Carolina Mudcats: The Double-A minor league affiliate of the Florida Marlins and 1995 and 2003 Southern League champions.
  • Charlotte Knights: The Triple-A minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
  • Durham Bulls: The Triple-A minor league affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
  • Greensboro Bats:The Class-A minor league affiliate of the Florida Marlins.
  • Winston-Salem Warthogs: The Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

Moving to North Carolina

North Carolina Science and Technology Organizations