North Carolina State Facts and Symbols

North Carolina became the 12th state in 1789 and is the 9th largest state by population with over 10 million residents. It is also the 29th largest state by land and water area with a total area of 53,819 square miles. North Carolina is home to Charlotte, which is the state's largest city with a population of approximately 680,000 people.

Many people believe that in 1775 North Carolina became the first colony to declare independence from Great Britain. The word Carolina comes from Carolus, the Latin form of the name Charles.

Included below are more facts and symbols, a state map, the state song and views of the North Carolina State Quarter.



North Carolina State Flag

North Carolina State Flag


North Carolina State Facts

North Carolina State Capital - Raleigh

State Nicknames - The Old North State and The Tar Heel State

State Motto - "Esse Quam Videri"

State Flower - Flowering Dogwood

State Wildflower - Carolina Lily

State Tree - Pine Tree

Official State Carnivorous Plant - Venus Flytrap

State Mammal - Gray Squirrel

State Dog - Plott Hound

State Bird - Northern Cardinal

State Freshwater Fish - Southern Appalachian Brook Trout

State Saltwater Fish - Channel Bass (Red Drum)

State Insect - Honeybee

State Reptile - Eastern Box Turtle

State Shell - Scotch Bonnet

State Precious Gemstone - Emerald

State Rock or Stone - Granite

State Boat - Shad Boat

State Colors - Red and Blue

State Folk Dance - Clogging

State Official Popular Dance - Shagging

State Fruit - Scuppernong Grape

State Vegetable - Sweet Potato

State Official Red Berry - Strawberry

State Official Blue Berry - Blueberry

State Beverage - Milk

State Official Christmas Tree - Fraser Fir



North Carolina State Map:

(Click or tap for a larger view)

North Carolina State Map


North Carolina State Song:

The Old North State
Words by William Gaston

"Carolina! Carolina! Heaven's blessings attend her!
While we live we will cherish, protect and defend her;
Though the scorner may sneer at and witlings defame her,
Our hearts swell with gladness whenever we name her.
Hurrah! Hurrah! The Old North State forever!
Hurrah! Hurrah! The good Old North State!

Though she envies not others their merited glory,
Say, whose name stands the foremost in Liberty's story!
Though too true to herself e'er to crouch to oppression,
Who can yield to just rule more loyal submission?

Plain and artless her sons, but whose doors open faster
At the knock of a stranger, or the tale of disaster?
How like to the rudeness of their dear native mountains,
With rich ore in their bosoms and life in their fountains.

And her daughters, the Queen of the Forest resembling–
So graceful, so constant, yet to gentlest breath trembling;
And true lightwood at heart, let the match be applied them,
How they kindle and flame! Oh! none know but who've tried them.

Then let all who love us, love the land that we live in
(As happy a region on this side of Heaven),
Where Plenty and Freedom, Love and Peace smile before us,
Raise aloud, raise together, the heart-thrilling chorus!"


North Carolina State Toast:

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!
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!

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!




North Carolina State Quarter

North Carolina State Quarter - FrontNorth Carolina State Quarter - Back

United States Mint 50 State Quarters© Program coin:
(United States Mint Images)




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