North Carolina Almanac: State Facts and Figures

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North Carolina Almanac

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

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

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

North Carolina Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations (Feet)

Mean Elevation

700

Highest Point

Mt. Mitchell

6,684

Lowest Point

Atlantic Ocean

Sea level

North Carolina Land Area (Square Miles)

Geographic Center

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

Almanac Provided by SHG Resources