What do you know about the Mountains? The Mountain Region What do you know about the Mountains?

The Mountains The Mountain region makes up the western fifth of the state. North Carolina’s mountains are part of the southern Appalachian Mountain range, which includes the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains. The Eastern Continental Divide runs along the Blue ridge, separating rivers that flow into the Atlantic Ocean from those that flow west to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The region’s rivers include the French Broad river, the Upper Catawba River, New River, Little Tennessee River, and the Hiawassee River.

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People And The Economy The Cherokee Indians have lived in the mountains of western North Carolina for thousands of years. European colonists began to settle in the river valleys in the early 1700s, although the difficulties of travel in the mountains kept their numbers down. The mountains remained North Carolina’s most isolated region well into the twentieth century. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bCzs5vdhJA

People And Economy After the Civil War, logging companies came to the mountains to harvest the rich timber. Tourists also began to come during the summer months to escape the summer heat. Tourism remains one of the region’s major industries. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are ideal for hiking, mountain biking, rafting, kayaking, and other outdoor activities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f71BdbN-ik

People And Economy The Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway are the most visited of all national parks in the country. All of these visitors help create jobs in hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. The Mountains is the least populated region of the state. Asheville is the biggest city in the region. Much of the region is rural with people living in small towns and settlements. Farms tend to be small and near river and streams. Crops include apples, burley tobacco, Christmas trees and some livestock. Residents also mine for minerals such as feldspar, talc, and gemstones. Lumber and forest products, including pulp for paper, continue to be important industries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxoRUVW33D0