North Carolina, with an area of approximately 52,669 square miles or 136,413 square
kilometers, is ranked 28^th in the Nation in population. The state is ranked 10^th in the
Nation with an approximate of population 6,657,630 people. This state was settle in
1650 and admitted to the Union of November 21, 1789. Mount Mitchell is the states
highest point with an elevation of 6,684 feet and is located in the northwestern part of
the state near the Tennessee and North Carolina border. The States popular name is the
Tarheel State. Its State Bird is the Cardinal and the State Flower is the Flowering Dogwood.

While Raleigh is the State capital its largest city is Charlotte. The major industrial areas are
located around Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point, Durham, Gastonia and Charlotte.

The dominant land uses in agricultural are in the raising of hogs, cattle, dairy stock and
poultry. Crops raised include apples, tobacco, cotton, corn, wheat, oats, peanuts, soybeans,
peaches and melons. The State also harvest forest products. The major mineral occurrences
in the State are Asbestos, Gold, Clay, Copper, Granite, Lithium, Mica, Marble, Phosphates,
Talc and Tungsten.

Along the coastline this State harvest Sea Trout, Mackerel, Mullet, Menhaden, Crabs
and Bluefish.