North Carolina websites about places to go, things to do, vacation information, sports links, facts about the state, destinations, golf, business, and more. With four international airports and five major interstate highways, you'll have no problem getting to North Carolina.

North Carolina was one of the original Thirteen Colonies, originally known as Carolina. North Carolina has a wide range of elevations, from sea level on the coast to almost 6,700 feet in the mountains. The coastal plains are strongly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. The Outer Banks of NC hosts some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

Unique experiences await you in each of the three main regions, from the mountains to the sea, and you'll find Southern hospitality, friendly people, some of the kindest weather you'll ever meet, and reasonable rates across the state.

Tourism is important with charming historical towns, adventure and leisure, fabulous shopping and sports. 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.

In the west, the mountains are home to a stunning Indian Summer but the views are gorgeous year-round. Hike the Appalachian countryside where American legend Daniel Boone once roamed. In the Piedmont of NC, take your pick of motorsports activities, from road rally to stock car racing. Sample wine in converted tobacco barns. In the east, bask in the sunshine along the Atlantic coastline. Relax on the beach where the Wright brothers launched man's first powered flight over a century ago.

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.

The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill is the oldest State University in the United States. Havelock is home of Marine Base "Cherry Point." It is the largest air base in the Marine Corps.

In 1903 the Wright Brothers made the first successful powered flight by man at Kill Devil Hill near Kitty Hawk. The Wright Memorial at Kitty Hawks now commemorates their achievement.

Babe Ruth hit his first home run in Fayetteville on March 7, 1914. Charles Karault was born and raised in Wilmington. The Biltmore Estate in Ashville is America's largest home, and includes a 255-room chateau, an award-winning winery and extensive gardens.

Krispy Kreme Doughnut was founded in Winston-Salem. Pepsi was invented and first served in New Bern in 1898.The Venus Fly-Trap is native to Hampstead. The first miniature golf course was built in Fayetteville.

Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the United States, was born in the Waxsaws area on the border of North and South Carolina. James K. Polk, born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, was the eleventh President of the United States. Hiram Rhoades Revels, born in Fayetteville in 1822, was the first African-American member of the United States Congress. Andrew Johnson started his career as a tailor's apprentice in Raleigh, North Carolina and rose to lead in the reuniting of the nation as the seventeenth President of the United States.

North Carolina has 1,500 lakes of 10 acres or more in size and 37,000 miles of fresh water streams. White Lake near Elizabethtown is very unique in that it has a white sandy bottom and is blessed with crystal clear waters. It has also been labeled as the "Nation's Safest Beach." It is truly a child's paradise in that there are no currents, no tides, no hazardous depressions or real dangers of any kind to swimmers.