North Carolina
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North Carolina is a state in the southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th most populous of the 50 United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and South Carolina to the south, and Tennessee to the west. Raleigh is the state's capital, and Charlotte is its largest city. The Charlotte metropolitan area, with a population of 2,595,027 in 2020, is the most populous metropolitan area in North Carolina, the 21st most populous in the United States, and the largest banking center in the nation after New York City. The Raleigh-Durham-Cary combined statistical area is the second largest metropolitan area in the state and the 32nd most populous in the United States, with a population of 2,043,867 in 2020, and is home to the largest research park in the United States, Research Triangle Park.
The earliest evidence of human occupation in North Carolina dates back 10,000 years and was found at the Hardaway Site. Before the arrival of Europeans, North Carolina was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Carolina Algonquian, Iroquoian, and Siouan speakers. In 1729, North Carolina was established as a royal colony and became one of the Thirteen Colonies. It is named in honor of King Charles I of England, who first formed the English colony, with "Carolus" being Latin for "Charles." In 1755, colonial North Carolina received its first postmaster, James Davis, appointed by Benjamin Franklin. The Halifax Resolves, adopted by North Carolina on April 12, 1776, represented the first formal call for independence from Great Britain among the American Colonies during the American Revolution.
On November 21, 1789, North Carolina became the 12th state to ratify the United States Constitution. In the lead-up to the American Civil War, North Carolina declared its secession from the Union on May 20, 1861, becoming the tenth of eleven states to join the Confederate States of America. Following the Civil War, the state was readmitted to the Union on July 4, 1868. On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright successfully piloted the world's first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina's Outer Banks. North Carolina uses the slogan "First in Flight" on state license plates to commemorate this achievement, alongside a newer alternative design bearing the slogan "First in Freedom" in reference to the Mecklenburg Declaration and Halifax Resolves.
North Carolina is characterized by a wide range of elevations and landscapes. From west to east, the elevation in North Carolina descends from the Appalachian Mountains to the Piedmont and the Atlantic coastal plain. Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 feet (2,037 m), is the highest point in North America east of the Mississippi River. Most of the state falls within the humid subtropical climate zone; however, the western mountainous region has a subtropical highland climate.
Entymology
North Carolina is named in honor of King Charles I of England who first formed the English colony, Carolus being Latin for "Charles".
Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community in North Carolina
Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community in North Carolina are complex and evolving. While public support for LGBTQ+ rights has grown in recent years, the state's legal framework and political climate present ongoing challenges.
- Public Opinion
A 2019 poll by Public Policy Polling indicated that 67% of North Carolina voters supported legislation protecting LGBTQ+ rights. However, a 2024 survey by The Trevor Project revealed that only 57% of LGBTQ+ youth felt their communities were accepting, with just 51% of transgender and nonbinary youth reporting the same.
- Legal Protections and Policies
North Carolina's statewide legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals are limited.
- Statewide Protections: There are no comprehensive statewide laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in private employment, housing, or public accommodations.
- Local Ordinances: Only about 8% of the state's population is covered by local ordinances that fully protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. An additional 23% have partial protections.
- Recent Legislation: In 2023, the North Carolina General Assembly passed several bills affecting LGBTQ+ individuals, including restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors and limitations on LGBTQ+ topics in early education. These laws were enacted despite vetoes from Governor Roy Cooper.
- Community and Advocacy
Despite legal and political challenges, many North Carolina cities have taken steps to support LGBTQ+ residents.
- Municipal Efforts: Cities like Durham, Asheville, and Chapel Hill have implemented local ordinances to protect LGBTQ+ individuals and have been recognized for their efforts in promoting equality.
- Community Support: Urban areas tend to be more accepting, with active LGBTQ+ communities and events. However, acceptance can vary significantly in rural regions.
- Ongoing Challenges
LGBTQ+ individuals in North Carolina continue to face several challenges:
- Healthcare Access: Transgender individuals report higher rates of harassment and mistreatment in healthcare settings, with 16% experiencing harassment and 32% facing mistreatment in the workplace.
- Economic Disparities: LGBTQ+ North Carolinians experience higher rates of food insecurity (29%) compared to non-LGBTQ+ residents (16%).
- Education and Youth: Legislation limiting discussions of LGBTQ+ topics in schools may contribute to feelings of isolation among LGBTQ+ youth.
History of the North Carolina Flag
The North Carolina State Flag is split horizontally into two equal-sized bars: red on the top and blue on the bottom. The hoist side of the flag features a blue vertical band. Inside the blue band are the gold letters reading "NC," which stands for North Carolina, with a white five-pointed star positioned between the two letters. Above and below this are gold banners. The top banner reads, "May 20th, 1775," while the bottom banner reads, "April 12th, 1776." The red, white, and blue colors incorporated into the design of this flag pay homage to the United States of America. The date May 20th, 1775, celebrates the time when the leaders of North Carolina signed the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, making them the first of the 13 colonies to declare independence from the British. The second date, April 12th, 1776, pays tribute to the date of the Halifax Resolves, when the colony took official action to declare independence from Great Britain. The North Carolina State Flag was adopted in March 1885.
North Carolina is located in the southeastern region of the United States and shares borders with South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, and the Atlantic Ocean. The capital of North Carolina is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte. North Carolina was named after King Charles I of England, and its capital, Raleigh, was named after Sir Walter Raleigh. North Carolina is also referred to as "The Tar Heel State," referencing the tar, pitch, and turpentine industries of North Carolina, where tar was harvested from the vast longleaf pine forests in the state. The state is sometimes referred to as "The Old North State," a title it obtained after the Carolina colony was divided into North Carolina and South Carolina.
North Carolina was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, Catawba, Tuscarora, and Croatan. The first European to arrive in the area was Spanish explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1524, followed by another Spanish explorer, Juan Pardo, who founded Fort San Juan in 1567. In 1584, English explorers Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe arrived in the area under the direction of Sir Walter Raleigh to find land in North America for Queen Elizabeth I. During this period, the English established the Roanoke Colony, which was led by John White and was the first European colony in North America. John White returned to England for more supplies, and when he came back to North Carolina, the colony had disappeared; it is still unknown today what caused its demise. During the late 1600s and 1700s, many English people settled in North Carolina. In 1705, the first permanent town, Bath, was established. The influx of British settlers frustrated and angered the Native Americans who had previously populated the area and could see their land being systematically taken from them. In 1711, the Tuscarora tribe fought back against the encroachment, and the Tuscarora War began; however, by 1713, the tribe had been defeated. In 1776, North Carolina signed the Declaration of Independence, and on November 21, 1789, it officially became the 12th state of the United States of America.
External links
- Wikipedia article: North Carolina
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