North Carolina has coastal areas like the Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks popular for beaches, as well as mountainous regions in the Appalachians suitable for outdoor activities. The state has a long history dating back to the first English settlement in 1585 and was home to the Wright brothers' first airplane flight. North Carolina is also known for its musical artists, actors, and athletes as well as its distinctive Southern cuisine.

1. North Carolina is located in the Window to the World:
southeastern United States on the
Atlantic Ocean.
North Carolina
by Caitlin Wells
If you like white sandy beaches, head to the
Outer Banks, the chain of barrier islands along
the coast. The most picturesque and relaxing
island is Ocracoke, accessible only by ferry.
The majority of the island is a wildlife refuge,
and it was the hideout of the infamous pirate
Blackbeard in the 1700s.
If you prefer the mountains, go west toward the
Appalachians, where you can go rock climbing,
whitewater rafting, hiking, camping, hunting and fishing
in one of the state’s many pristine parks.
The local cuisine is to-die-for, with world-
famous sweet potatoes, barbecue,
Bojangle’s fried chicken, soul food, Krispy
Kreme donuts, and Pepsi Cola.
Home to 30 Native American tribes and one of the original 13 colonies,
North Carolina has a long and rich history. The first English settlement in the
“New” World was founded on the coast in 1585, and at the start of the
Revolutionary War North Carolina was the first colony to declare
independence from Great Britain. The state fought on the side of the
Confederacy during the American Civil War and in 1903 the Wright brothers
made the world’s first airplane flight at the Outer Banks.
North Carolina has been home to
countless stars: classic musicians like
John Coltrane or Nina Simone, bluegrass
band The Carolina Chocolate Drops and
rockers Southern Culture on the Skids;
actors and moviemakers like Cecil B.
Demille, Ava Gardner, Michael C. Hall,
Zach Galafianakis, Evan Rachel Wood,
and Jaime Pressly; and athletes like
Michael Jordan.