North Carolina

North Carolina lies on the Atlantic Coast and features the Appalachian Mountains on its western side. The Wright brothers accomplished the world’s first heavier-than-air human flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The climate and soil in the coastal plains create ideal conditions for tobacco growth, making North Carolina the nation’s leading crop producer. The early 20th century saw a proliferation of textile manufacturing in North Carolina as farmers went to work in factories. It is the second-largest industrial state in the South, producing chemicals, computers, and machinery. North Carolina is also known for one of the country’s oldest and largest science parks.  Research Triangle Park (RTP) is a 7,000 acre development home to over 150 companies. RTP is supported by three nearby universities: Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.