Charlotte
Charlotte, largest city in North Carolina, USA; 731,400 residents, of which 35% are black (2010). The city was formerly known for its many industries, especially cotton, and has since the 1960’s become the commercial center of a large and rapidly expanding hinterland. South of downtown, which consists mostly of skyscrapers, lies the huge amusement park Carowinds Theme Park, and further south, in neighboring South Carolina, the Christian-fundamentalist center Heritage USA.
Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, town at the foot of the Appalachians in North Carolina, USA; 229,600 residents (2010). The town, which since 1875 has been known for the cigarette factory RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co., has a versatile industry and several higher education institutions. Sights include the Reynolda House of American Art Museum and the historic Old Salem District, founded by the Moravian Brethren in 1766. The name came from the amalgamation of the neighboring towns of Winston and Salem in 1913.
Raleigh
Raleigh, capital of North Carolina, USA; city population of 403,900 residents., in the urban Raleigh Durham -Cary 1.7 million residents (2010). In addition to being the seat of the state administration, centered around Capitol Square, Raleigh is an important research and education center with several universities and colleges, including NC State University and Shaw University. Together with the research community, the nearby industrial area Research Triangle Park has since 1959 attracted many high-tech companies (biomedicine, semiconductor technology, etc.). Chemical industry as well as textile and food industries are also important. The city was built as the capital in 1792.
Durham
Durham, town at the foot of the Appalachians in North Carolina, USA; 228,300 residents, of which 44% are black (2010). The town has been known for its tobacco industry since the first factory was built in 1858; approximately 1/5 of US cigarettes produced here. Durham is also home to the prestigious Duke University (1924) and several other universities and colleges, which, along with similar research centers in the neighboring towns of Raleigh and Chapel Hill, have attracted many high-tech companies, most notably the South Triangle Park. for the city in 1959.
Asheville
Asheville, a town in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, USA; 83,400 residents (2010). With the railway connection in 1880, until the turn of the century, the city became a center for trade in tobacco and cattle; at the same time, several industries were founded that still characterize the city (textiles, furniture, paper). Author Thomas Wolfe’s childhood home and multimillionaire George Vanderbilt’s impressive Biltmore House are tourist destinations.
