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 Universities: UNC-Asheville, WCU
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 Eastern Continental Divide: Imaginary line that determines flow of water East of divide it flows into Atlantic Ocean, West it flows into Gulf of Mexico
Mountain Region
Piedmont Region Location: Between Mountain region and Fall Line (Inner 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 (triangle park) Big 3 Cities: Charlotte, Winston Salem, Raleigh, Greensboro
Piedmont Region Cont. Universities: NC State, UNC, Duke, UNCC, Wake Forest Soil Type: Rich, red clay (bricks) Historical Sites: State museums (Raleigh), Old Salem, NC Zoo Fall Line: “drop off” point between Piedmont and ICP waterfalls, difference in rocks and soil Facts: 45% of state, most urban and populated, GREAT WAGON ROAD (the path to the Carolinasas supply of land grows short, move South. Moravians Salem, Bethabra
Piedmont Region
Inner Coastal Plain Location: Between Fall Line (Piedmont) and Tidewater Characteristics: Sandhills Economy: Tobacco, textiles, paper, agriculture, cotton, soybeans, peanuts Cities: Greenville, Fayetteville, Rocky Mount Universities: ECU, UNC-Pembroke Soil Type: Sand rich Historical Sites: Golf Hall of Fame Facts: About the size of piedmont, NC military bases
Inner Coastal Plain
Tidewater Location: Between Inner Coastal Plain and Atlantic Ocean 20-30 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean Characteristics: Salt marshes, swamps, Outer Banks, sound, BEACH, all natural lakes Economy: Tourism, fishing (large scale), recreation, Cities: Wilmington, Morehead City, New Bern
Tidewater Cont. Universities: UNCW (the best), Elizabeth City State University Soil Type: Sandy Historical Sites: USS NC battleship, Fort Fisher Facts: 30 ft above sea level, Barrier Islands= islands that protect mainland Outer Banks, 1st explored and colonized, 2nd largest populated, mildest climate
Tidewater
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, shallow