State of North Carolina
Nicknames: The Tar Heel State, The Old North State
Motto(s): Esse quam videri (To be, rather than to seem)
Date of Statehood: November 21, 1789 (12th state)
State Song: “The Old North State” by William Gaston
North Carolina Flag History
The flag of North Carolina, adopted in 1885 and slightly modified in 1991, represents the state’s pride and its values. The flag is composed of three equally sized bars, two of which are red and white and a blue bar containing the state’s initials “N.C.” with a white star between them. Above the star is the date “May 20, 1775,” representing the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, and below the star is the date “April 12, 1776,” representing the Halifax Resolves, both of which are claimed as steps toward independence from British rule.
The star symbolizes North Carolina’s attempt to be independent and its role as one of the original thirteen colonies. The flag’s colors of red, white, and blue showcase patriotism and the state’s commitment to the United States.
The flag of North Carolina is a symbol of the state’s rich history, its commitment to liberty and independence, and its pride as a part of the nation. It serves as a reminder of North Carolina’s role in American history and its motto, “Esse quam videri,” urging its citizens to embody virtues rather than merely seem to have them.
North Carolina Quick Facts
Capital City: Raleigh
Abbreviation: NC
Population: Approximately 10.5 million
Region: Southeast
Origin of State Name: Named in honor of King Charles I of England
Sports Teams: Carolina Panthers (NFL), Charlotte Hornets (NBA), Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Bordering States: Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee
Area Codes: 252, 336, 704, 743, 828, 910, 919, 980, 984
Highest Point: Mount Mitchell at 6,684 feet (2,037 meters)
Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean
Geography of North Carolina
Area: 53,819 square miles (139,390 square kilometers), 28th largest
Land: 48,618 square miles (125,920 square kilometers), 29th largest
Water: 5,201 square miles (13,470 square kilometers), 10th largest
Coastline: 301 miles (484 kilometers)
Shoreline: 3,375 miles (5,432 kilometers), including the shorelines of bays, sounds, and rivers
Largest Cities:
- Charlotte
- Raleigh
- Greensboro
- Durham
- Winston-Salem
- Fayetteville
- Cary
- Wilmington
- High Point
- Greenville
- Asheville
- Concord
- Gastonia
- Jacksonville
- Chapel Hill
National Parks:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park (partly in North Carolina)
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore
- Cape Lookout National Seashore
- Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
North Carolina State Symbols
Living Insignia
State Bird: Northern Cardinal
State Animal: Gray Squirrel
State Amphibian: Marbled Salamander
State Butterfly: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
State Fish: Channel Bass (Red Drum)
State Flower: Dogwood
State Horse Breed: Colonial Spanish Mustang
State Insect: Honeybee
State Mammal: Gray Squirrel
State Reptile: Eastern Box Turtle
Inanimate Insignia
State Fruit: Scuppernong Grape
State Gemstone: Emerald
State Soil: Cecil
State Tree: Pine
State Quarter: Issued in 2001 featuring the Wright brothers’ first flight at Kill Devil Hills
State Beverage: Milk
State Colors: Red and blue
State Dance: Clogging
State Food: Sweet Potato
State Fossil: Megalodon Shark Tooth
State Mineral: Gold
State Rock: Granite