GEOGRAPHY of North Carolina: Land of Diversity

BASIC FACTS Located in the southeastern United States Bounded on the north by Virginia on the west by Tennessee on the south by Georgia and South Carolina on the east by Atlantic Ocean

BASIC FACTS its longest east-west point is about 500 miles its widest north-south point is about 180 miles covers about 53,000 square miles is about the size of England is known as one of the South Atlantic states

North Carolina

North Carolina has 3 distinct geographical regions

Wilmington The Coastal Plain Outer Banks

COASTAL PLAIN located between Atlantic Ocean and the fall line covers nearly 45% of state’s landmass elevations range from sea level to 400-500 ft. at the fall line

COASTAL PLAIN is divided into 2 sections Tidewater from the ocean to about 20-30 miles inland contains a series of barrier islands that border the ocean known as the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks

TIDEWATER Capes (parts of the islands that jut far out into ocean): Cape Fear, Cape Lookout, Cape Hatteras “Graveyard of the Atlantic” -- shallow water off the shores causing ships to run aground In 1800’s lighthouses were built to help warn ships away from dangerous waters.

Cape Lookout Lighthouse

Currituck Lighthouse

(stretch 170 miles along coast) Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout national seashores (stretch 170 miles along coast)

Maritime Forest of the Outer Coastal Plain

SOUNDS West of the barrier islands is an almost tideless body of water that consists of 5 major sounds: Currituck Albemarle (Great Dismal Swamp is located between this sound and Norfolk, VA) Pamlico (Lake Mattamuskeet is located between Pamlico & Albemarle Sounds) Core Bogue

Currituck Sound

Emerald Isle Inlet

Lake Mattamuskeet

Major Tidewater coastal towns Morehead City* New Bern Edenton Elizabeth City Beaufort Wilmington* Southport Washington

INNER COASTAL PLAIN stretches 70-100 miles from Tidewater to fall line contains sandy soil—prime agricultural region Main crops - tobacco, cotton, corn, wheat. Beef & dairy cattle, hogs, & poultry- common livestock.

Inner Coastal Plain is the prime agricultural region for Cotton Tobacco Hog Farming

Inner Coastal Plain, noted for its sandy soil.

SANDHILLS named because of deep sandy soil—noted for its golf courses

The Sandhills

Major Inner COASTAL PLAIN towns Fayetteville* Goldsboro Wilson Southern Pines Rocky Mount Greenville Pinehurst

Greensboro State Capitol The Piedmont Charlotte Raleigh

PIEDMONT located between the fall line and the Blue Ridge Mts. stretches approximately 200 miles covers nearly 39% of state’s landmass elevations from 500-1,500 ft. (moving east to west)

PIEDMONT Center of the state’s urban population Raleigh Charlotte Greensboro Winston-Salem * Durham

PIEDMONT Center of state’s manufacturing: textiles, tobacco, furniture Before 1849, NC was the country’s leading gold producing state (In Charlotte the federal government once minted gold coins) Rich clay soil--variety of products

Restored Mine Tunnel at Reed

The Deep River, Lee County

The Haw River, Chatham County

Center of higher education

Center of cultural activities History Museum Museum of Natural Science Art Museum Discovery Place

The Mountains

MOUNTAINS located between Piedmont and Tennessee covers 6,000 square miles elevations from 1,500(east) to 6,684 ft. Mount Mitchell--highest peak in eastern U.S.) about 200 miles long and 15-50 miles wide

At the top of Mt. Mitchell— elevation 6,684 feet above sea level

Mt Mitchell State Park

MOUNTAINS part of Appalachian chain (runs southwest to northeast--from Georgia to Quebec) Blue Ridge Mountains--at eastern edge Great Smokey Mountains & Unakas--at western edge Black Mountain & Balsams--connecting the ranges

The Appalachian Trail

BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

Creek on the Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway

Cherokee--state’s only Indian reservation

Unto These Hills

Asheville--largest city in region

State’s largest national forests Pisgah and Nantahala

Pisgah National Forest

Nantahala National Forest