North Carolina is located on the Atlantic Coast of the south-eastern United States of America. To the south of North Carolina lie South Carolina and Georgia, to the West Tennessee, and to the north Virginia. Its total area of approximately 139,000 square kilometers (around 54,000 square miles) make it the 28th largest state in the USA. Its population is quite large at over nine million, making it the tenth most highly populated state in the country.
North Carolina makes a great place to holiday because of its wonderful landscapes that provide a wide range of outdoor activities to the visitor. Skiing, hiking, and mountain climbing are a few of the popular activities you can easily experience in the western area of the country, in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smokey mountains. This area also provides a glimpse of Appalachian culture of music.
The coastal area in the east features a different kind of cultural climate, where activities such as fishing, kite-surfing, and sun-bathing dominate. Of particular interest are the neverending stretches of empty secluded beaches in the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast areas. This region is also the location of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where the Wright Brothers gave birth to flight, so this area is important in aviation history.
In the center of North Carolina lies the Piedmont region, which consists of mostly flat farming land and is the seat of most of NC's major towns and cities. People from out of state are unlikely to stick around for very long in this region, but mostly will pass through and spend a little time in either Raleigh or Charlotte. Raleigh is the capital city, and contains some political and historical sites that are worth a look.
The Great Smokey Mountains National Park in the western region of the state is the one must-see attraction that I recommend. It is the state's most popular national park and is full of splendid natural wonders.
