North Carolina Fast Facts
• State Abbreviation (Postal Code): NC
• Time Zone(s): Eastern Standard (GMT -5)
• State Nickname(s): Tar Heel State
• State Capital: Raleigh
• Largest City: Charlotte
• Major Airports: Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU, US Rank: 38)
• Highest Point: Mt. Mitchell (6,684 ft.)
• Lowest Point: Sea Level (Atlantic Ocean coastline)
• Land Area: 53,865 sq. mi. (US rank: 28)
• Population (2010): 9,535,483 (US rank: 10)
• Major League Sports Teams: NFL: Carolina Panthers; NHL: Carolina Hurricanes
• State Government Website: NC.gov
• State Tourism Website: Visit NC
• Date Admitted to Union (Order): November 21st, 1789 (12th)
• State Flag: A vertical blue band on which are the letters "N" and "C" with a white star, the dates "May 20th 1775" and "April 12th 1776" above and below, to the left of two horizontal bands of red and white.
North Carolina Trivia
• The state is named for Charles I, the Latin form being "Carolus", and included the area that is now both North and South Carolina; the territory was split in 1729.
• Was the site of Roanoke Colony, a late 16th century site of English settlers, who disappeared without a trace sometime between 1587 and 1590.
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