North Carolina Scenic Byways

a scenic road in the state of north carolina

The Tar Heel State

North Carolina is in the southeastern area of the United States and is bordered by Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and unsurprisingly South Carolina.

Interestingly enough while North Carolina is the 28th largest state by landmass, it is the 9th most populous, with the Charlotte Metropolitan area boasting an estimated population of over 2.5 million people as of 2018.

Another interesting factoid is that North Carolina is home to the largest banking center right after New York City.

Another fact that you can take to the bank, so to speak, is that North Carolina was one of the original 13 colonies, and is named in honor of King Charles, with “Carolus” being the Latin for the name “Charles.”

Another interesting fact about North Carolina is that it was the second to last state to ratify the United States Constitution, and was the 2nd-to-last state to join the Confederate states during the American Civil War.

However, this state is better known for its achievement as “First in Flight,” as the Wright brothers stage their first successful piloted flight in North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

Looking at the topography of the state, it’s easy to see that North Carolina is divided into 3 distinct zones, from the Appalachian Mountains to the West, two the Atlantic coastal plain in the East.

Due to not only its warm climate but also its proximity to the coast, North Carolina has been a hotbed for human activity for thousands of years.

This can be traced back to long before Europeans first set foot on the continent, with some settlements showing evidence of use almost 10,000 years ago.

In the modern-day, North Carolina is home to banking and tech industries, as well as a foothold in the finance industry.

Exploring North Carolina By Road

For those looking to explore more of the natural landscape of North Carolina, there are plenty of scenic byways to take you along the ecological and historical features that make up this incredible state.

Those interested in history and Pirates, in general, will find Cape Hatteras fascinating, as it is home to more than 1,000 shipwrecks since 1526.

The most famous of these belonged to the famous pirate Blackbeard, as his ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge went aground in 1718. But more than that, it also leads you by some fantastic beaches.

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Whether you’re looking to revisit a slice of naval history, explore the Appalachian mountain range, or take a break along the coast of North Carolina at one of its gorgeous beaches, there is plenty to explore within this state.

Whatever you’re looking for, no trip to North Carolina will ever be wasted, whether you find yourself exploring the state’s history, or perusing some of the urban areas and all that they have to offer.

After all, this state takes its motto of, “To be, rather than seem,” seriously, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the moment and less time stressing about the destination.