1. Coastal Plains Largest land region in North Carolina Can be divided into two subregions: The Tidewater and the Inner Coastal Plain. The OBX is separated from the mainland by 2 large “sounds” the Albemarle and the Pamlico Sounds-brackish (mix of fresh and salt water) shallow water.

2. Barrier Islands An elongated strip of sand running parallel to a mainland separated by a body of water-sound or lagoon. May change shaped due to wind, rain, tide action. The Outer Banks (OBX) are barrier islands off NC coast. Pawley's Island SC after Hurricane Hugo.

3. Major Rivers of Coastal Plains Roanoke River, Tar River, and the Neuse River all flow into the Albemarle or Pamlico Sounds. The Cape Fear River flows directly into the Atlantic Ocean near Wilmington- the state’s major port and Coastal Plains largest city.

4. Economy Past- Tobacco, rice, and forest products. Today- largely rural-flat rich soil good for farming. Cotton, peanuts, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, tobacco and soybeans. Chicken, turkey hog farming. Sounds and ocean provide commercial farming. Tourism and military bases.

5. Piedmont “at the foot of the mountains” 300 miles of rolling hills btw the Coastal Plain and Mountain regions. Low mountains- Uwharrie, South Mtns., and the Brushy Mtns. Rivers- Lower Catawba, Yadkin, Cape Fear and Neuse Rivers.

6. Fall Line This is the boundary between the Coastal Plain and the Piedmont. It is noticeable near streams and rivers which fall onto the Coastal Plains as rapids or waterfalls. Linville

7. People of Piedmont 16 th Century –Catawba Indians Early 1700’s- Europeans mainly from Pennsylvania traveled the Great Wagon Road. Established small, self-sufficient farms.. Hydroelectric power, railroad solved transportation issues- textile, furniture and tobacco were major industries. Today-Most wealthy and urbanized region

8. Largest Cities 10 lrgst cities are in the Piedmont: Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill make up Research Triangle. Greensboro, High Point and Winston- Salem-the Triad Charlotte and the Metrolina are known as the Urban Crescent.

9. Economy Today Traditional- textiles, tobacco, and furniture. New industries- banking, trucking, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, computer, software…

10. Mountains Western fifth of the state Part of the southern Appalachian range Includes the Great Smoky and the Blue Ridge Mtns. Eastern Continental Divide runs through the Blue Ridge-

11. Rivers French Broad, The Upper Catawba, New River, Little Tennessee River, and the Hiawassee River.

12. People Cherokee Indians have lived her for thousands of years. Europeans began arriving in the 1700’s. Still isolated today in some areas.

13. Economy After the Civil War, timber became a major industry. Tourists began taking advantage of cool summers. Tourism remains one of the main industries. Asheville is the largest city. Small farms-apples, burley tobacco, livestock, & Christmas trees, gem mining, minerals lumber