Welcome to GreatNorthCarolina.com ! Our site covers North Carolina information such as business, travel, shopping & services, insurance, science, networking, health..   Submit a Site   About North Carolina Home > About North Carolina Capital City: Raleigh Economy: Agriculture, industry, banking and tourism. Language Description: English. Population: 8,049,313 Religion: Christian (Protestant, Roman Catholic), though other major religions are represented. Time Zone: 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-5 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed April-October Voltage Requirements: 110 volts Governor: Mike Easley, D (to Jan. 2005) Lieut. Governor: Beverly Perdue, D (to Jan. 2005) Senators: John Edwards, D (to Jan. 2005); Elizabeth Dole, R (to Jan. 2009) Secy. of State: Elaine F. Marshall, D (to Jan. 2005) Treasurer: Richard H. Moore, D (to Jan. 2005) Atty. General: Roy Cooper, D (to Jan. 2005) Entered Union (rank): Nov. 21, 1789 (12) Present constitution adopted: 1971 Motto: Esse quam videri (To be rather than to seem) State Symbols: flower dogwood (1941) tree pine (1963) bird cardinal (1943) mammal gray squirrel (1969) insect honeybee (1973) reptile eastern box turtle (1979) gemstone emerald (1973) shell scotch bonnet (1965) historic boat shad boat (1987) beverage milk (1987) rock granite (1979) dog plott hound (1989) song “The Old North State” (1927) colors red and blue (1945) fruit scuppernong grape (2001) Nickname: Tar Heel State Origin of name: In honor of Charles I of England 10 largest cities (2000): Charlotte, 540,828; Raleigh, 276,093; Greensboro, 223,891; Durham, 187,035; Winston-Salem, 185,776; Fayetteville, 121,015; Cary, 94,536; High Point, 85,839; Wilmington, 75,838; Asheville, 68,889 Land area: 48,711 sq mi. (126,161 sq km) Geographic center: In Chatham Co., 10 mi. NW of Sanford Number of counties: 100 Largest county by population and area: Mecklenburg, 716,407 (2001); Robeson, 949 sq mi. State forests: 6 State parks: 33 (125,000 ac.) Residents: North Carolinian Home   About Us   Submit a Site   Link to Us   Contact Us   Disclaimer   Privacy Policy Information contained herein is deemed accurate and correct, but no warranty is implied or given. © Copyright GreatNorthCarolina.com, Inc., 2004. All rights reserved. North Carolina Directory helps users to search North Carolina related listings real estate, science & environment, humanities, news & media.