North Carolina: Photos, Posters, and Prints

North Carolina can be geographically split into three regions: the coastal plains, piedmont and mountains. The coastal plains harbor many resort areas and are well known for their white sand beaches. Included in this area is Cape Hatteras and Lookout National Seashores, which lie on the barrier islands of the state known as the Outer Banks. The piedmont region of the state encompasses the area at the base of the Appalachian Mountains. This region stretches from north to south and harbors North Carolina's largest cities, one of which is Raleigh, the state capital. The economy is fueled by tobacco growers and processors and is often referred to as Tobacco Road. The Appalachian Mountains comprise the western region of the state. The Blue Ridge Mountains lie to the east with the Great Smoky Mountains creating the western ridge.

North Carolina supports a recreation opportunity for everybody. Scenic driving can be enjoyed in every region of the state. Visitors to the mountains will enjoy skiing, sledding and snowshoeing in the winter and hiking, camping and fishing in the summer. The coastal terrain supports many water-oriented activities that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Bike touring, golfing and boating are popular in the piedmont region of the state.

Natural attractions in North Carolina range from sandy beaches in the east to high mountain ranges in the west. Fringed by 480km (300 miles) of beaches, islands and inlets, the North Carolina coast is renowned for its fishing, boating and other recreational opportunities. The Heartland, often referred to as ‘the Piedmont’, is composed of gently rolling plains that host picturesque golf courses, lakes and farmland, as well as the State’s largest urban areas. Charlotte, the largest city, is a thriving convention and entertainment centre. The Outer Banks Barrier Islands along the coast include resorts, fishing villages and stretches of national seashore. Cape Hatteras National Seashore also boasts areas of undeveloped beach. Western North Carolina is bounded by two ranges of the southern Appalachians, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains, with peaks exceeding 1800m (6000ft). Other attractions include Raleigh, with its fine architecture and cultural centres, and the Qualla Boundary Cherokee Indian Reservation.