Explore this Map of North Carolina to know everything you want to know about the 12th state of the US. Learn about this state’s location in the United States of America. Also, check out its geography, time zones, history, major cities, national parks, trails, flag, capital, and many more.

About North Carolina

North Carolina is the 12th state in the United States. On November 21, 1789, it was admitted to the Union. Raleigh is North Carolina’s capital city. Charlotte is the largest city and also the largest metro-urban area in North Carolina. 

This state’s official language is English. While over 90% of the state’s population speaks English, around 7% speaks Spanish. In the US, North Carolina is the 9th most populous state. “Tarheel State” and “Old North State” are the nicknames of this state. “Esse quam videri” (which means “To be, rather than to seem”) is the State Motto. 

Check Facts of North Carolina to learn more about this US state.

North Carolina Flag

The flag of North Carolina was adopted on March 9, 1885, and modified in 1991. Johnston Jones designed this flag. 

The North Carolina flag is tri-colored. It has two horizontal stripes, one above the other. A red stripe is above a white stripe. Near the hoist end, a vertical blue stripe is there. This blue stripe incorporates a white star at the center. Initials of North Carolina (NC) are written on two sides of the star in yellow or gold. Two ribbons are there above and below the star and initials. While “May 20, 1775” is written on the top ribbon, “April 12, 1776” is written on the lower ribbon.

North Carolina State Symbols

On April 8, 1971, the North Carolina General Assembly adopted the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina. In 1983, design modifications were done through an amendment. 

The different features of the North Carolina seal are:

• Liberty: A Goddess figurine appears on the left-hand side of the seal. This woman figurine is modeled after Minerva (a Roman goddess) or Athena (a Greek goddess). The goddess symbolizes Liberty. The goddess is facing another seated woman figurine symbolizing Plenty. is facing
• Freedom From Bondage: The goddess of Liberty holds a “liberty cap” in her hand. This cap symbolizes freedom from bondage, especially from slavery. That’s why this liberty cap became a freedom symbol during revolutionary America and France. 
• Constitution Protects Liberty: The goddess of Liberty is also seen holding a scroll, where the word “Constitution” is written. It symbolizes that the Constitution protects Liberty. 
• Plenty: The Great Seal of the state shows a second female figure on the right-hand side of the image. This female figure symbolizes Plenty. It is sitting down and half-extending her right arm towards the goddess of Liberty. In her right hand, three heads of grain are there. On the left-hand side of the seated female figure, an overflowing cornucopia is there. Traditionally, this small horn-looking cornucopia symbolizes food and abundance. 
• Commerce: To show the thriving commerce of North Carolina, a ship on the ocean was added to the seal. Richard Dobbs Spaight suggested this sublime emblem of commerce in 1793. 
• Dates: The dates “May 20, 1775” and “April 12, 1776” are written on top and bottom of the image in the seal’s circle where the image is located. 

On May 20, 1775, the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was signed. The American Revolution was the first declaration of independence in the 13 original colonies. It was signed in North Carolina’s Charlotte. 

On April 12, 1776, the Halifax Resolves were adopted by North Carolina. It was the first official action the American Colonies took during the American Revolution. It called for independence from Great Britain. It was the Halifax Resolves that helped the US Congress to present the United States Declaration of Independence just 3-months after. 

Outer Ring: “The Great Seal of the State of North Carolina” is written in the outer ring surrounding the seal’s circle. At the lower end of the outer ring the motto of North Carolina “Esse quam vider” (in Latin) is written. This motto means “To be rather than to seem.”

North Carolina History

North Carolina’s early history can be traced back around 10,000-12,000 years. This was when the Native Americans inhabited this land area. Throughout this state, approximately thirty groups of Native Americans used to live here. 

The British made the first attempt to colonize this land in the 1580s. The permanent settlers started moving to North Carolina in the 1600s. That’s when the Britishers established one of their colonies named “Carolina.” In fact, the first colony that declared independence from Great Britain was North Carolina in 1775. On November 21, 1789, North Carolina attained statehood and was admitted to the Union. 

North Carolina broke away from the Union and joined the American Civil War in favor of the Confederates in 1861. During 1861-1865, many major battles were fought between the Confederacy troops and Union troops. Some of those significant battles are Bull’s Gap, Red Banks, 1865 raids, Stoneman’s 1864, Hatteras Inlet Batteries, and many more. The Confederacy troops of North Carolina surrendered in 1865. It was ultimately in 1868 that the Unionists brought the state back into the folds of the Union. 

The first major transformation in the state took place in 1903 when the Wright Brothers flew the first airplane from North Carolina’s Kitty Hawk. Women were given the right to vote in 1920 through the 19th Amendment.

North Carolina Location

The North Carolina Location Map shows the exact location of the US state of North Carolina on the United States map. This map also shows the US state’s boundaries, neighboring countries, and oceans. 

The state of North Carolina is situated in the southeastern part of the US. It shares its border with:

• Virginia (in the north)
• The Atlantic Ocean (in the east)
• Georgia and South Carolina (in the south)
• Tennessee (in the west)

North Carolina’s precise location is 33° 50′ N to 36° 35′ N Latitude and 75° 28′ W to 84° 19′ W Longitude. Check the North Carolina Longitude and Latitude Map to learn more about the location.

North Carolina Geography

The Commonwealth of North Carolina is spread across a total area of 40,408 sq mi (104,656 sq km), out of which 39,486 sq mi (102,269 sq km) is land area and 921 sq mi (2,387 sq km) is water area. It is the 37th largest state in the United States in terms of size. 

The geographical area of North Carolina has three significant landforms:

• The Atlantic Coastal Plain: It occupies the eastern part of North Carolina. This area consists of:
  • The Outer Banks
  • A string of sandy
  • A narrow barrier island that includes inlets and sounds such as:
    • Pamlico Sound
    • Albemarle Sound
  • The inner coastal plain is where native longleaf pine trees are found.
• The Piedmont Region: It is located in the central part of the state.
• The Mountainous Region: It is situated in the western parts of the state. The mountains belong to the Appalachian Mountains. Check this North Carolina Topographic Map to learn more.

Learn about the location of mountain peaks, rivers, lakes, the state capital, state boundary, ocean, and neighboring states from this Physical Map of North Carolina.

North Carolina Counties 

North Carolina has 100 counties. Dare County is the largest county, having a total area of 1,562 sq mi (4,046 sq km). Clay County is the smallest county, having a total area of 222 sq mi (575 sq km). Check the North Carolina County Map to learn more about the location and boundaries of different counties in the state. 

North Carolina Area Codes

The US State of North Carolina has 4 area codes: 

• 270/364: South Central North Carolina’s western part and western North Carolina are served by the area code.
• 502: The areas of Frankfort and Louisville are served by this area code.
• 606: The Eastern North Carolina region (which includes the Eastern Coalfield) is served by this area code.
• 859: Northern North Carolina and the Lexington area are served by this area code.

The North Carolina Area Codes Map helps you locate a particular area code. You can also use it to learn more about the area code boundary, county and state boundaries, and state capital. 

North Carolina Zip Codes

There are 1,079 active zip codes in North Carolina. Some of the best zip codes to live in include 28202, 27513, 27560, 27560, 27514, 27617, 27519, 27518, 27511, 27510, and many more. You can locate a particular zip code’s location, boundary, state boundary, and state capital with the help of the North Carolina Zip Code Map. 

North Carolina Major Cities

Learn about the state’s major cities from this North Carolina cities map. It also helps you to know the exact location of the state capital, other cities, state boundaries, neighboring states and oceans, and many more. 

Some of North Carolina’s most prominent cities are Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Durham, Greensboro, Raleigh, and many more. Check out the North Carolina Cities Map for more details.

North Carolina Airports

The busiest airports in North Carolina are Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Piedmont Triad International Airport, Raleigh–Durham International Airport, etc. Check the location of different airports in the state on the North Carolina Airports Map. This map also shows North Carolina’s state and country boundaries, cities, the state capital, neighboring states, and oceans.

North Carolina National Park and Trails

North Carolina has ten national parks. Around 17,919,610 visitors visit these national parks annually. Major national parks in the state are Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Pisgah National Forest, and others.

In North Carolina, you can enjoy around 2,610 recreational trails (hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and other adventurous trails). In North Carolina, Looking Glass Rock Trail, Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail, Rainbow Falls, Turtleback Falls Trail, etc., are some of the most popular trails. 

Check out the National Parks in North Carolina Map to get a clear idea about the locations of different national parks, monuments, preserves, etc.

North Carolina Climate 

You’ll find two kinds of climatic conditions in North Carolina:

• Medium Continental Climate: This climatic condition can be found in the mountainous region. It is characterized by cooler summers and heavier rainfall. In the mountains, the growing season remains for 175 days.
• Subtropical Climate: You’ll find this climatic condition in the southeastern corner of North Carolina. In the coastal areas, the growing season remains for 275 days. 

The average annual temperature varies in accordance with different regions of the state. The eastern region’s temperature remains at 66 °F (19 °C). In central North Carolina, the average temperature hovers around 60 °F (16 °C). In the mountainous region, the average temperature revolves around 55 °F (13 °C). 

In North Carolina, July to August is the wettest period annually. The driest months of the year are from October to November. The average yearly precipitation level in different geographic regions in North Carolina are:

• Coastal Region: 46-to-54 inches (1,170-to-1,370 mm)
• Piedmont Region: 44-to-50 inches (1,120-to-1,270 mm)
• Mountainous Region: 40-to-80 inches (1,015-to-2,030 mm) 

Along the coastal areas, hurricanes occur occasionally. Severe storms are rare in North Carolina. However, inland landfall of tornadoes has taken place in the past. Heavy snowfall is not frequent.

North Carolina Education

North Carolina is a great place to study. Home to more than 100 universities and colleges, the state has emerged as a favorite destination for students worldwide who want to further their studies in the United States. Some of the top universities that attract students from around the world to North Carolina are Duke University, which is known for its robust medical programs; students would get top-class education at Wake Forest University and more.

North Carolina Time Zones

The time zone of North Carolina is UTC−05:00 (Eastern). Its Summer (DST) time zone is UTC−04:00 (EDT).

FAQs on North Carolina

FAQ #1: What is The Time Zone for North Carolina?

Ans: UTC−05:00 (Eastern) is the time zone in North Carolina. UTC−04:00 (EDT) is the Summer (DST) time zone in the state. 

FAQ #2: What Is The Capital of North Carolina?

Ans: Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina. 

FAQ #3: What Is North Carolina Known For?

Ans: North Carolina is known for the “Tar Heel State”, the largest private residence in the United States of America, the modern world’s first controlled aircraft flight by the Wright Brothers from North Carolina’s Kitty Hawk, presence of many prestigious higher education institutions in the US, and fantastic beaches along the 300-mile long coastline. 

FAQ #4: How Many People Live In North Carolina?

Ans: The estimated population in North Carolina is 10.67 million. It is the ninth most populous state in the United States. 

FAQ #5: Does It Snow In North Carolina?

Ans: In the mountains in North Carolina, snowfall takes place regularly. During winter, the average snowfall in the state is 5 inches (130 mm). While the capital city Raleigh gets 6.0 inches (150 mm) of snowfall, most of the places in North Carolina get less than 2 inches (51 mm) of snowfall per year. 

FAQ #6: Are There Alligators (also called Gators) In North Carolina?

Ans: Yes, you’ll find alligators in almost all parts of North Carolina. They are mostly found in ponds, swamps, marshes, rivers, creeks, and bay lakes. As you move from the southern part of the state to the northern one, the concentration of alligators increases. In the coastal areas of North Carolina, gators are found in lesser numbers. 

FAQ #7: Who Was The Founder Of North Carolina? When Was North Carolina Founded?

Ans: Walter Raleigh (an English poet and explorer) is believed to be the founder of today’s North Carolina. He and 121 others founded the first European settlement on July 22, 1587, as they came to Roanoke Island, which is now in the Dare County of present-day North Carolina. 

FAQ #8: What Is The State Bird Of North Carolina?

Ans: North Carolina’s official state bird is the cardinal (cardinalis cardinalis). 

FAQ #9: What Region Is North Carolina In?

Ans: North Carolina is situated in the southeastern region of the USA.  

FAQ #10: Are There Wolves In North Carolina?

Ans: Red wolves are found in the Albemarle Peninsula of North Carolina.