Information and history of the state of North Carolina

In 1653 the first permanent settlements were established by English colonists near the Roanoke and Chowan rivers. The region was established as an English proprietary colony in 1663–1665.

North Carolina became one of the English Thirteen Colonies, and, with the territory of South Carolina, was originally known as the Province of Carolina. The northern and southern parts of the original Province separated in 1729.

North Carolina's economy is experiencing a shift away from tobacco, furniture and textiles to knowledge-based enterprises such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences.

Some North Carolina Symbols

1. State Bird	2. State Mammal	3. State Flower	4. State Stone	5. State Insect
6. State Tree	7. State Reptile	8. State Fruit	9. State Fish	10. State Rock

1. Northern Cardinal -North Carolina designated the northern cardinal as official state bird in 1943.
2. Eastern Gray Squirrel- The Eastern gray squirrel was designated the official state mammal of North Carolina in 1969.
3. Dogwood Blossom - The blossom of the dogwood tree was designated as the official state flower of North Carolina in 1941.
4. Emerald - North Carolina designated the emerald as the official state precious stone in 1973.
5. Honeybee - North Carolina designated the honeybee as official state insect in 1973. Bee pollination is critical to plant and human survival - beeswax and honey are just surplus gifts from this tiny wonder of nature.
6. Pine Tree - The pine tree was designated as the official state tree of North Carolina in 1963.
7. Eastern Box Turtle - The Eastern box turtle was designated as the official state reptile of North Carolina in 1979.
8. Scuppernong Grape - North Carolina designated the Scuppernong grape as the official state fruit in 2001. A scuppernong is a large variety of muscadine.
9. Southern Appalachian Brook Trout - North Carolina designated the southern Appalachian brook trout as the official freshwater trout in 2005.
10. Granite - North Carolina designated granite as the official state rock in 1979.

Did you know?

• Andrew Johnson started his career as a tailor's apprentice in Raleigh, North Carolina and rose to lead in the reuniting of the nation as the seventeenth President of the United States.
• North Carolina was the first state in the nation to establish a state museum of art.
• Hiram Rhoades Revels, born in Fayetteville in 1822, was the first African-American member of the United States Congress.
• Pepsi was invented and first served in New Bern in 1898.
• Many people believe that North Carolina was the first state to declare independence from England with the Mecklenburg Declaration of 1775.
• The Biltmore Estate in Ashville is America's largest home, and includes a 255-room chateau, an award-winning winery and extensive gardens.
• In 1903 the Wright Brothers made the first successful powered flight by man at Kill Devil Hill near Kitty Hawk. The Wright Memorial at Kitty Hawks now commemorates their achievement.
• The first English child born in America was born in Roanoke in 1587. Her name was Virginia Dare.