North Carolina should be known as
the Renaissance State. From an economic low point to a
leader in the United States
economy and quality of life for its residents in less than 50 years,
should be quite a laurel. But NC will never again be satisfied with
anything but the best. The drive and educated intelligence that has
carried NC this far is not about to stop now. More and more, 'the best in
the world', 'the largest in the world' 'world-class', and 'the latest
technology in the world' are the terms used to describe developments in
this state of NC.
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Here's to the land of
the long leaf pine,
The summer land where the sun doth shine,
Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great,
Here's to "Down Home," the Old North State!
from North Carolina State Toast |
Second to none in
the fields of Research and Development, North Carolina was among the first
to fully integrate its educational community into its drive to restore
economic stability and then develop unheard of prosperity in this area.
And what an educational community it is. The
history of
North Carolina's higher education began with the first settlement. The
striking achievements of the business leaders in NC, is due in large part
to the cooperation of the educational system. Special education and
training is available through the schools in cooperation with business
leaders and coordinated with new business attracted to the area. This has
led to the high percentage of qualified employees in NC. Again, the input
of some of the largest and best research departments in universities and
laboratories across the state, have enabled NC to attract a stunning
number of R & D businesses worldwide.
North Carolina is ranked in the
top 10 in the United States in:
- international exports
-
economic transformation
- manufacturing and crafting for
export
- manufacturing vitality
- agriculture
-
heritage tourism
-
bioscience
R & D
-
educational /
teacher quality improvement
- student achievement
- climate and quality of life
- safest U.S. City
- as location for the growing automotive industry
- an exceptional place to live,
work and visit
- Best Large Metro Areas to start a business
(per Inc. magazine: Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte, Wilmington-Jacksonville
area were #4, #7, and #7 in the 50 Best Small Metro Area category,
respectively. Criteria used: number of new businesses locating to the
area over the past ten years, and the growth index of those companies)
From the Crystal Coast, where the
shell-strewn beach is white and sandy, to the Great Smoky Mountains
(including
Mount Mitchell, the tallest mountain in the eastern United States),
the beauty of North Carolina is legendary.
North Carolina is varied enough to offer every
staple of recreation as well as some more exotic occupations, such as
oystering, fishing (trout,
bass, etc.), sportfishing (marlin in the nearby Gulf Stream), horseback
riding (on the beach and otherwise), sailing, motor boating, island
explorations (the Barrier Islands are noted for their beauty), kayaking,
swimming, diving, hiking (mountain trails or estuaries), mountain biking,
fly-fishing, camping and climbing - and the list goes on. With
visibility of more than 100 feet and water temperatures of 80 degrees,
off-shore diving (there are sunken wrecks in the Graveyard of the
Atlantic), and Gulf Stream dives are popular
past-times.
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Here's to the land of the cotton
bloom white,
Where the scuppernong perfumes the breeze at night,
Where the soft southern moss and jessamine mate,
'Neath the murmuring pines of the Old North State!
Here's to the land where the galax grows,
Where the rhododendron's rosette glows,
Where soars Mount Mitchell's summit great,
In the "Land of the Sky," in the Old North State!
from North Carolina State Toast |
Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America, was born in
Roanoke, NC, in 1587. Native American Indians have imprinted their
culture in many areas of this lovely state. The Cherokee named these
mountains Shaconage - Place of Blue Smoke).
The history of the United States is reflected in the historical heritage
of NC - Battle sites from the Revolutionary War and the Civil War,
Monuments to strides in technology and agriculture, manufacturing and
architecture are all there in North Carolina.
Here's to the land where maidens are
fair,
Where friends are true and cold hearts rare,
The near land, the dear land, whatever fate,
The blest land, the best land, the Old North State!
from North Carolina State Toast
Send an E-Postcard from beautiful, exciting, dynamic North Carolina.
