Mountains Last region settled by Europeans – Why? Lowest population – Why? Highest elevation Smallest region

Appalachian Mountain Chain

Great Smoky Mountains Blue Ridge Mountains

Mt. Mitchell –highest mountain east of the Mississippi River

Cherokee Indian Reservation

Mostly rocky and forested

Many rivers, streams, and dams for hydroelectric power

Coolest climate due to elevation

Only urban area – Asheville #1 industry – tourism

North Carolina Odds and Ends

Three Major Industries Durham Southwest Piedmont High Point

Other Industries in NC banking, chemicals, agriculture

Leaders in: sweet potatoes, corn, poultry, hogs, fishing, soybeans

Why are we called Nature’s Sample Case?

Hardwood Forests Softwood Forests

Lumber and Pine Trees Naval Stores – important products produced from the long leaf pine during the colonial era tar pitch rosin turpentine

Naval Store - In time past, pine tar and pitch were used extensively on sailing ships to caulk seams and to protect ropes. No ship left port without an essential store of tar and pitch.

gold, gemstones, limestone, mica, clay

Culturally Diverse

100 Counties of North Carolina

Diverse Climate due to location and elevation 4 distinct seasons

Cape Fear River the only river to flow directly into the Atlantic Ocean - on a deep water port (Wilmington)

Lake Mattamuskeet largest natural lake in NC

If Lake Norman and Lake Wylie are not natural lakes, what are they If Lake Norman and Lake Wylie are not natural lakes, what are they? And why?