North Carolina Links

North Carolina is an attractive place to live, work, start a business, go to school, retire or take a vacation. Here's the low-down on the Old North State:

Climate

North Carolina enjoys the variety of four distinct seasons with mostly moderate temperatures. Temperatures normally range from 22 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit, and precipitation averages 44 inches per year. Click here for current weather conditions throughout the state.


Population

Home to about 7.5 million people, North Carolina is the nation's 10th most populous state.


Economy

The North Carolina economy continues to grow faster than the nation's. The state has a AAA bond rating, the highest a state can earn, and maintains sound fiscal policy through a legislatively mandated balanced budget. North Carolina offers a strong labor environment and one of the nation's lowest unemployment rates.


Taxes

Per capita state and local taxes are lower in North Carolina than in most states, ranking the state 36th nationally.


Education
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Secondary schools
Community colleges
University of North Carolina System
Private colleges and universities  


Transportation

North Carolina has two international airports (Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte Douglas), five interstate highways, 4,000 miles of railroad and two deep-water seaports. The state is also developing a major industrial airport complex called Global TransPark in eastern North Carolina. North Carolina's central East Coast location puts it within a day's driving distance of half the country's population. 


Government
State government
U.S. Representatives
U.S. Senators 


Recreation
State Parks
Mountains, Beaches and more
General parks, recreation and travel 


Science and technology Web sites in North Carolina
Council for Entrepreneurial Development
MCNC (Microelectronics Center of North Carolina)
North Carolina Information Highway
North Carolina Research and Education Network
North Carolina Supercomputing Center
Research Triangle Institute
Research Triangle Park
Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society