Introduction

North Carolina joined the Union in 1789 and is the 12th of the original 13 states. One of its major industries is tourism, as many Americans travel to the state to enjoy its beautiful beaches. The capital of the "Tar Heel State" is Raleigh, and the dogwood blossom is the state flower.

North Carolina is the nation's largest furniture, tobacco, brick and textile producer. Metalworking, chemicals and paper are also important industries. The major agricultural products are tobacco, corn, cotton, hay, peanuts and vegetable crops. The state is the country's leading producer of mica and lithium.

Tourism is also important, with visitors spending more than $1 billion annually. Sports include year-round golfing, skiing at mountain resorts, both fresh- and salt-water fishing and hunting.

Among the major attractions are the Great Smoky Mountains, the Blue Ridge National Parkway, the Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout National Seashores, the Wright Brothers National Memorial at Kitty Hawk, Guilford Courthouse and Moores Creek National Military Parks, Carl Sandburg's home near Hendersonville and the Old Salem Restoration in Winston-Salem.

City List