Regions of NC

Mountain Region Location: Between Piedmont and Tennessee Characteristics: Mountains, Smoky Mountains (Western by Tennessee), Blue Ridge (Eastern), Mount Mitchell= highest summit in Eastern NC, Black Mountains= most important Soil Type: Rocky, natural resources= minerals, stones Economy: Tourism, mining, apples, Christmas trees Major Cities: Asheville, Boone

Mountain Region Cont. Historical Sites: Biltmore Estate( largest privately owned home in NC), Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherokee Reservations Facts: Takes up about 10% of the state, home to Cherokee Indians, least populated

Mountain Region

Piedmont Region Location: Between Mountain region and Coastal Plain Characteristics: “Piedmont”= foothill of the mountains, rolling hills, swift streams, hardwood forests, lumber and livestock=natural resources Economy: manufacturing (textiles), furniture, tobacco (RJR), banking Cities: Charlotte/Concord, Winston Salem, Raleigh, Greensboro

Piedmont Region Cont. Soil Type: Rich, red clay (bricks) Historical Sites: State museums (Raleigh), Old Salem, NC Zoo Facts: 45% of state, most urban and populated

Piedmont Region

Coastal Plain Location: Between Piedmont and Atlantic Ocean Characteristics: Salt marshes, swamps, Outer Banks, sound, BEACH, all natural lakes Economy: Tobacco, textiles, paper, agriculture, near the coast: tourism, fishing Cities: Greenville, Fayetteville, Rocky Mount, Wilmington, New Bern Soil Type: Sandy Facts: About the size of Piedmont, NC military bases, first area in U.S. to be explored and colonized (Roanoke-The Lost Colony)

Coastal Plain

Coastal Plain Tidewater Area

Effects of Geography Piedmont’s rivers (Catawba, Yadkin, Pee-Dee) flow southeast which discouraged settlers from moving west into the interior Due to Piedmont’s clay and drier climate farms were smaller, but streams and rivers helped build major industries Cities develop where industries are Heavily forested mountains were last to be settled by Europeans = least populated Early growth of coastal cities lack of natural harbors, winds shifted barrier islands