Map of North Carolina
The state of North Carolina is located in the Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, South Carolina to the south, Georgia to the southwest, and Tennessee to the west.
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About the map:
This map of North Carolina State shows the state borders, Atlantic Ocean, states, state capital, county borders, counties, county seats and important cities.
County seats are indicated by a red circle, white circles indicate cities, and the capital of North Carolina is indicated by a star in the red circle. The larger the city in terms of population, the larger the circle on the map and the larger the font of the city name.
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North Carolina State Maps
Other Maps of North Carolina
North Carolina State Profile
The Great Seal of the State of North Carolina |
Flag of North Carolina |
| Capital: | Raleigh |
| Largest city: | Charlotte |
| Largest metropolitan area: | Charlotte |
| Largest county by population: | Wake County |
| Largest county by area: | Dare County |
| Area: | 53,819 sq mi (139,391 km2) |
| Population (2023): | 10,835,491[1] |
| Density: | 214.72/sq mi (82.9/km2) |
| Dimensions: |
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| Latitude: | 33°50′ N to 36°35′ N |
| Longitude: | 75°28′ W to 84°19′ W |
| Elevation: |
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| Official language: |
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| Religion (2014):[2] |
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| Racial/ethnic groups (2023):[1] |
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| Median household income (2022): | $66,186[1] |
| USPS abbreviation: | NC |
| ISO 3166 code: | US-NC |
| Time zone: | UTC–05:00 (Eastern) Summer (DST) UTC–04:00 (EDT) |
| The Official Website of the State of North Carolina: | www.nc.gov |
About the State of North Carolina
North Carolina, located in the southeastern United States, ranks as the 28th largest state by area 53,819 square miles (139,391 square kilometers) and the 9th most populous state, with approximately 10,835,000 million residents (2023). The state borders Virginia to the north, South Carolina to the south, Tennessee to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
Raleigh serves as the state capital and, along with Durham and Chapel Hill, forms part of the Research Triangle, a major center for technology and biotechnology industries. Charlotte, the largest city, functions as a significant banking and financial hub, hosting the headquarters of several major banks.
The state's economy relies on diverse sectors, including agriculture (tobacco, sweet potatoes, and hogs), manufacturing (textiles, furniture, and pharmaceuticals), technology, and banking. North Carolina maintains a strong presence in higher education through institutions like Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University.
Major metropolitan areas include Charlotte (population 2.7 million), Raleigh-Durham (population 2.2 million), and Greensboro-Winston-Salem (population 1.7 million). These urban centers contribute significantly to the state's economic growth and development.
Tourism plays a vital role in North Carolina's economy. The Outer Banks attract visitors with their pristine beaches and historic lighthouses. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, shared with Tennessee, draws outdoor enthusiasts. The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, America's largest private residence, receives numerous visitors annually. The state's golf courses, particularly in the Pinehurst area, attract sports tourists worldwide.
North Carolina's climate varies from coastal subtropical to mountain temperate, supporting diverse recreational activities throughout the year. The state maintains 41 state parks and recreation areas, offering hiking, camping, and water sports opportunities.
Brief History
North Carolina's history spans from Native American settlements through European colonization and modern development. The region's first inhabitants included Cherokee, Catawba, and Tuscarora peoples. English settlers established the first permanent European settlement at Bath in 1705. North Carolina became one of the original thirteen colonies and played a significant role in the American Revolution. The state ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1789. During the Civil War (1861-1865), North Carolina contributed more soldiers to the Confederacy than any other southern state.
The 20th century brought significant industrial growth, particularly in textile manufacturing, furniture production, and banking. Research Triangle Park, established in 1959, transformed the state into a major technology and research hub. Key historical events include the Wright brothers' first flight at Kitty Hawk (1903) and the Greensboro sit-ins (1960), which catalyzed the Civil Rights Movement.
Major cities in North Carolina
- Charlotte
- Raleigh
- Greensboro
- Durham
- Winston-Salem
- Fayetteville
- Cary
- Wilmington
- High Point
- Concord
- Asheville
- Greenville
- Gastonia
- Jacksonville
- Apex
- Huntersville
- Chapel Hill
- Burlington
- Kannapolis
- Wake Forest
Counties in North Carolina
There are 100 counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina.
List of counties in North CarolinaNorth Carolina County Map
Geography of North Carolina
North Carolina spans 53,819 square miles and contains three distinct geographical regions: the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and Mountain Region. The Coastal Plain covers 45% of the state's eastern area, featuring barrier islands, wetlands, and fertile agricultural lands. The Piedmont region occupies the central portion with rolling hills and clay soils. The Mountain Region in the west includes the Appalachian Mountains, with Mount Mitchell standing as the highest peak east of the Mississippi River at 6,684 feet.
The state experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Average summer temperatures range from 85°F to 95°F (29°C to 35°C), while winter temperatures typically range from 30°F to 50°F (-1°C to 10°C). Annual precipitation averages 45 inches, with the mountains receiving up to 80 inches. The Outer Banks region influences weather patterns and often experiences tropical storms and hurricanes between June and November.
North Carolina contains diverse ecosystems, from maritime forests along the coast to spruce-fir forests in the mountains, supporting varied wildlife and plant species.
Below you will find a list of the largest lakes, the longest rivers, and the highest mountains in North Carolina.
Major Rivers in North Carolina
- Cape Fear River - 202 mi (325 km)
- Neuse River - 275 mi (443 km)
- Tar River - 215 mi (346 km)
- Yadkin River - 215 mi (346 km)
- Catawba River - 190 mi (306 km)
- Roanoke River - 190 mi (306 km)
- French Broad River - 178 mi (286 km)
- New River - 160 mi (257 km)
- Chowan River - 150 mi (241 km)
- Little Tennessee River - 135 mi (217 km)
- Deep River - 125 mi (201 km)
- Dan River - 124 mi (200 km)
- Haw River - 110 mi (177 km)
- South Fork Catawba River - 90 mi (145 km)
- Lumber River - 83 mi (134 km)
- Tuckasegee River - 60 mi (97 km)
- Green River - 55 mi (89 km)
- Watauga River - 55 mi (89 km)
- Cashie River - 55 mi (89 km)
- Rocky River - 54 mi (87 km)
Major Lakes in North Carolina
- Kerr Lake - 48,900 sq mi (126,651 km2)
- Lake Norman - 32,510 sq mi (84,200 km2)
- Lake Gaston - 20,300 sq mi (52,577 km2)
- High Rock Lake - 15,180 sq mi (39,316 km2)
- Jordan Lake - 13,940 sq mi (36,105 km2)
- Lake Wylie - 13,400 sq mi (34,706 km2)
- Falls Lake - 12,410 sq mi (32,141 km2)
- Fontana Lake - 10,230 sq mi (26,496 km2)
- Lake Waccamaw - 8,938 sq mi (23,149 km2)
- Lake Chatuge - 7,050 sq mi (18,260 km2)
- Lake James - 6,812 sq mi (17,643 km2)
- Lake Tillery - 5,697 sq mi (14,755 km2)
- Badin Lake - 5,350 sq mi (13,857 km2)
- Lake Hickory - 4,223 sq mi (10,937 km2)
- Mountain Island Lake - 3,281 sq mi (8,498 km2)
- Lake Rhodhiss - 3,060 sq mi (7,925 km2)
- Lake Santeetlah - 2,881 sq mi (7,462 km2)
- Lake Summit - 2,550 sq mi (6,604 km2)
- Lake Lure - 720 sq mi (1,865 km2)
- Lake Junaluska - 200 sq mi (518 km2)
The Highest Mountains in North Carolina
- Mount Mitchell - 6,684 ft (2,037 m)
- Mount Craig - 6,647 ft (2,026 m)
- Clingmans Dome - 6,643 ft (2,025 m)
- Mount Gibbes - 6,571 ft (2,003 m)
- Balsam Cone - 6,540 ft (1,993 m)
- Mount Le Conte - 6,533 ft (1,991 m)
- Mount Guyot - 6,523 ft (1,988 m)
- Cattail Peak - 6,520 ft (1,987 m)
- Big Tom - 6,518 ft (1,987 m)
- Mount Hardy - 6,510 ft (1,984 m)
- Potato Hill - 6,475 ft (1,974 m)
- Richland Balsam - 6,410 ft (1,954 m)
- Black Brothers - 6,400 ft (1,951 m)
- Roan High Knob - 6,285 ft (1,916 m)
- Grassy Ridge Bald - 6,189 ft (1,886 m)
- Mount Kephart - 6,188 ft (1,886 m)
- Mount Collins - 6,188 ft (1,886 m)
- Grandfather Mountain - 6,184 ft (1,885 m)
- Yellow Face - 6,182 ft (1,884 m)
- Waterrock Knob - 6,160 ft (1,878 m)
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References
1. ^ QuickFacts North Carolina. U.S. Census Bureau.2. ^ Religious composition of adults in North Carolina. Pew Research Center.