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North Carolina Almanac: State Facts and Figures
Browse the state's symbols; state animal, state bird, state flower, state flag, state fossil, state insect, state motto, state seal, state tree, color, dance, fish, mammal, music, nut, reptile seal, and miscellaneous designations, emblems, and mascot of each state with pictures. Find origin of the state name. View the state almanacs, state timelines and peruse state facts and stats such as the capitol, location, and date admitted to the union.
North Carolina Almanac
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| Official Name |
North Carolina |
| Capital |
Raleigh |
| Nick Name |
Tar Heel State, Old North State |
| Motto |
Esse Quam Videri (To be, rather than to seem) |
| Location & Region |
35.82195 N, 078.65875 W |
Middle Atlantic |
| Constitution Ratified |
1971 |
| Statehood |
November 21, 1789 |
12th state |
| Population |
8,049,313 |
165.26 sq mi. |
11th |
Largest City
(by population) |
Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem |
| Bordering States |
Georgia - South Carolina - Tennessee - Virginia |
| Number of Counties |
100 Counties in North Carolina |
Largest County
(by population) |
Mecklenburg County |
695,454 |
527 sq mi. |
| Time Zone |
Eastern Standard Time |
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North Carolina Climate and Weather |
North Carolina has four distinct seasons statewide, but the differences in elevation can create quite a contrast between the mountains and lowlands at any time of year. In general, expect the mountains to be cooler by 5-10 degrees F/2-5 C. All areas get plenty of rain in the summer, and the mountains see plenty of snow (50 in/127 cm or more) in winter, when skiing is possible. Skiers can expect temperatures from 22 to 42 F/-5 to 5 C in January. May temperatures range 45-76 F/6-24 C in the mountains and 57-81 F/14-27 C along the coast. Central North Carolina can get very hot and humid in midsummer, but is pleasant in spring and fall. July is the wettest summer month everywhere -- some localized thunderstorms can be quite severe. Expect water temperatures in July to be near 80 F/26 C along the coast. Fall is the driest season, with comfortable humidity and temperatures ranging 64-82 F/12-27 C, cooler in the mountains
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| Highest Temperature |
110 degrees
August 21, 1983 - Fayetteville |
| Lowest Temperature |
-34 degrees
January 25, 1985 - Mount Mitchell |
| Avg Temp: High - Low |
88.3 degrees |
27.3 degrees |
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North Carolina Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations (Feet) |
| Mean Elevation |
700 |
| Highest Point |
Mt. Mitchell |
6,684 |
| Lowest Point |
Atlantic Ocean |
Sea level |
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North Carolina Land Area (Square Miles) |
| Geographic Center |
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| Total Area |
53,818.51 |
28th |
| Land Area1 |
48,710.88 |
90.52% |
| Water Area2 |
5,107.63 |
9.48% |
| Forested Land Area3 |
61.8% |
Dimensions
(Length - Width) |
500 miles |
150 miles |
Source: (U.S. Census, April 1, 2000)
1. Dry land and land temporarily or partially covered by water, such as marshland, swamps, etc.; streams and canals under one-eighth statute mile wide; and lakes, reservoirs, and ponds under 40 acres.
2. Permanent inland water surface, such as lakes, reservoirs, and ponds having an area of 40 acres or more; streams, sloughs, estuaries, and canals one-eighth statute mile or more in width; deeply indented embayments and sounds, and other coastal waters behind or sheltered by headlands or islands separated by less than 1 nautical mile of water, and islands under 40 acres in area. Excludes areas of oceans, bays, sounds, etc. lying within U.S. jurisdiction but not defined as inland water.
3. 1997 |
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Almanac Provided by SHG Resources |
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