Featured Market: North Carolina

This featured market includes Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham, Fayetteville, and Greensboro.

North Carolina, the "Tar Heel State," has three diverse regions: the Appalachian Mountains to the west; the Atlantic Coast to the east; and rolling hills in between. The Great Smoky Mountains in the west are among the country's top scenic attractions. Central North Carolina offers the state's largest cities, great universities and top-notch golf courses. Farther east, the coast offers a mild climate with magnificent beaches and extraordinary wetlands.

Charlotte, the "Queen City," is the state's number one tourist destination. Charlotte is recognized as the leading cultural city in the region providing art, science and historical attractions.

The Raleigh/Durham area offers ample recreation with the Blue Ridge Mountains and Atlantic Coast a three-and-a-half hour drive away. Sports enthusiasts enjoy games involving North Carolina State in Raleigh and Duke University in Durham.

Fayetteville is rich in history. Home of the U.S. Army's Fort Bragg, its Airborne and Special Operations Museum is the most visited attraction in North Carolina. Fayetteville offers shopping, lodging and restaurant choices found in major metropolitan areas.

Greensboro is the home of many historical and cultural sites. Art galleries are scattered throughout the city, and the area is well known for fine dining and nighttime entertainment, as well as some of the most challenging golf courses in the region.

Fast Facts:

• There are more than 1.2 million acres of national forest land in the Tar Heel State
• The outer banks of North Carolina have some of the most beautiful beaches in the country
• North Carolina leads the nation in furniture, tobacco, brick and textile production