Information on North Carolina
North Carolina is a diverse holiday location, as despite being known for fast paced cities and a high level of cultural attractions, it is an ideal location for visitors looking for untouched beaches and tranquil alpine landscapes. Its two best features, the mountains and the coast, are situated on opposite sides of the state, with miles of sparsely populated ground separating them.
North Carolina's western side is home to enchanting valleys and flower filled meadows, breathtaking waterfalls, rugged mountains, scenic hiking trails across the varied landscapes and lakes and streams ideal for fishing. Sharing the border with Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited parks in the country with acres of virgin forests and the oldest mountains on earth. Snaking its way along the backbone of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range is the dramatic Blue Ridge Parkway providing magnificent scenery and elevated views on its way towards Virginia.
The eastern coast stretches from the thin band of barrier islands called the Outer Banks to the seaport of Wilmington and the Cape Fear Coast, and is home to some excellent sandy beaches and intriguing historical attractions. Apart from seaside holiday resorts, most of the beaches, dunes and marsh areas are protected within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and there are plenty of recreational activities such as surfing, fishing, swimming and bird watching on offer.
The Heartland of North Carolina is situated between the enchanting coastal plains and the majestic mountains. Also known as Piedmont, the area is largely industrial and agricultural region of textile and tobacco towns, dominated by the academic institutions of the celebrated Research Triangle, a trio of university towns including Durham, the state capital of Raleigh, and Chapel Hill. A typically southern pace of life exists among the rolling farmland and picturesque golf courses despite the growth and swift economic progress, with landscapes reminiscent of the writings of Southern authors such as Tennessee Williams.
