North Carolina

one of the original thirteen states of the American Union. It lies on the Atlantic coast between Virginia and South Carolina. Area, including inland waters, 52,286 square miles. The surface is divided into three physical divisions--a wide coastal plain, a foothill or piedmont region, and the mountains. The coastal plain consists of land formed by the wash of the continent. Albemarle and Pamlico sounds, two broad, shallow bodies of salt water, indent the coast deeply. Their outer border is a reef of sand brought down by the rivers and tossed back by the conflicting currents of the tides.

Characteristics. The average annual rainfall is from forty-five to sixty inches, according to location. The rivers are numerous and large in proportion to their length. Their general course is from northwest to southeast. Boats ascend as far as the foothills, an average distance of 100 miles, where further navigation is prevented by rapids and cascades. In fact, the shore of the old continent is a line of rapids and waterfalls throughout its entire extent from Virginia to South Carolina. A descent of fifty feet in two miles is not unusual. It is one of the great waterpower regions of the world. The manufacturing towns of Charlotte, Concord, Durham, Fayetteville, Henderson, Raleigh, Reidsville, Salisbury, and Winston indicate sufficiently a region destined to become one of the most important industrial centers of the world. The leading manufacturing industries are tobacco and cotton cloth. West of the piedmont region rise the Blue Ridge and the Black and the Great Smoky Mountains. Over a score of peaks tower up to a height greater than that of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Mitchell Peak, 6,711 feet high, is the loftiest mountain east of the Mississippi.

Soil and Products. Between the flat swamp lands of the coast and the ranges of the west there is a diversity of soil and climate. Corn is a universal crop. Rice is raised on the coast. Half a million bales of cotton are raised yearly. In the production of tobacco North Carolina ranks second in the Union, and in sweet potatoes it ranks first. Of late a large area following the coast has been devoted to market gardening. Early lettuce is grown under glass. There are thousands of acres devoted to strawberries. Cut flowers are an important item. It is predicted that this region will become the great American competitor of Holland and the Bermudas in the raising of bulbs. In the piedmont region cotton and tobacco are beginning to make room for grape growing, peaches, and small fruits. In the elevated west the valleys between the mountain ranges are the natural home of the apple tree. The apple orchards are not known to fail to bear a crop. There are numerous elevated morasses where the wild cranberry grows in profusion.

Forests. The coastal plain is still covered in part by extensive forests of southern pine, yielding turpentine, tar, pitch, and resin. A dweller in these tar-producing pine barrens is known colloquially as a "tarheel." North Carolina is sometimes dubbed "The Tarheel State." Many uncleared swamps are cypress jungles. Palmetto, magnolia, and live oak are found near the coast. Oak, maple, elm, hickory, ash, walnut, and other valuable furniture and vehicle timber is found in the central region; while the fir, hemlock, and white pine are found in the western mountains.

Animals. The forests still shelter the gray squirrel, deer, fox, raccoon, the opossum, and rabbit. A few beavers still build their lodges in the streams. Wild turkeys are found in the mountains. Quail, partridges, and pigeons abound in the hardwood regions. Snipe and woodcock are found in the lowlands. Song birds are protected by law. Waterfowl are abundant along the coast.

Fisheries. The fisheries of the state are of commercial importance. A large appropriation is expended in the maintenance of fish hatcheries and in protecting oysters and shellfish. The annual catch of shad, herring, bass, perch, oysters, shellfish, and diamond-back terrapin employs from 10,000 to 15,000 persons.

Minerals. The coast region is rich in marl. Gold, mica, iron, and pottery clay are found farther west. There are deposits also of silver, tin, lead, and zinc. Coal and iron mines and magnesium limestone are found near together. There are about forty small gold mines. The marble and granite are of a fine quality. The world's supply of corundum is obtained largely in North Carolina. Millstones of excellent quality are quarried. Of gems, opals, agates, garnets, amethysts, rubies, emeralds, and even diamonds are found in paying quantities. There are a number of noted mineral springs.

Historical. The first attempts to found colonies in North Carolina were not successful. A colony was planted on Roanoke Island in 1587. Virginia Dare was born here August 18, 1587. The descent of the Spanish Armada prevented the sending of supplies until 1590. When the returning ship reached the site the colonists had disappeared. No trace has ever been found of the lost colony of Roanoke. The first permanent settlers drifted in from Jamestown. The early settlers were troubled by attacks of the Tuscarora Indians and of pirates. "Blackbeard," the leader of the pirates, was killed in 1718. The region was cut up from time to time among several lord-proprietors. North and South Carolina were definitely separated in 1729.

Among the elements that came in were Scotch covenanters, Highland Scotch after the battle of Culloden, Moravians escaping from the persecution of the Austrians, and Scotch-Irish, by way of Charleston. North Carolina joined Virginia in the French and Indian War and followed her example in opposition to the Stamp Act and the importation of tea. The Revolutionary engagements of King's Mountain and Guilford Court House were fought in North Carolina.

North Carolina was the last colony but one to ratify the Constitution. This act was deferred until November, 1789, when Washington had already been president for seven months. Tennessee, formerly a part of North Carolina, was ceded to the United States, and was accepted April 2, 1790. North Carolina was also the last state but one to secede from the Union. The act of secession was passed May 20, 1861. Over 127,000 North Carolina men entered the Confederate Army. It is claimed that the last volley at Appomattox was fired by North Carolina men.

Population, Etc. The population in 1900 was returned at 1,893,810--one-third colored. The farther from the sea, the fewer colored people. Raleigh was made the capital in 1791. State officers are elected for four years. The governor is not eligible for reelection. The second state university in the Union was chartered at Chapel Hill in 1789. The doors were opened in 1795. There are numerous denominational colleges. A public school system was established in 1840. Separate schools are maintained for colored children. A system of school libraries has been set in operation.

Statistics. The following statistics are the latest to be had from trustworthy sources:

See Mecklenberg Declaration