Glistening seashores and soaring mountains. North Carolina's diverse landscapes extend from the eastern Atlantic to the Great Smoky Mountains. Encompassing 4 National Forests (Croatan, Nantahala, Pisgah, and Uwharrie), 2 National Seashores (Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout), and 34 State Parks.

At the center of its coastal treasures is the Outer Banks. The longest series of barrier islands in the United States. Stretching 130 miles along the Atlantic Ocean from Nags Head south to Morehead City. Its remote and undeveloped shoreline attract sun worshippers and fisherman from around the world.

NC, Outer Banks, with more undeveloped shoreline than any other state.

The Outer Banks excellent fishing opportunities are the result of its proximity to the warm nutrient rich waters of the Gulfstream. Home to such sought after gamefish as the giant bigeye tuna and blue marlin. The Outer Banks is closer to the Gulfstream than anywhere on the eastern seaboard north of West Palm Beach, Florida. A natural haven for billfish, North Carolina has the largest offshore fishing fleet on the East Coast.

Although increasingly dependent on tourism, North Carolina's main source of income comes from its sales of tobacco, peanuts, textiles, and furniture. Textiles are state's top industry. With a long history that dates back to 1813 when North Carolina's first cotton mill was built near Lincolnton. North Carolina produces cotton and synthetic fabrics, yarns, threads, most of America's towels, sheets, and bedspreads and a variety of apparels. Some 60% of the furniture manufactured in the U.S. comes from North Carolina. While tobacco is North Carolina's major crop. Producing 40% of the tobacco grown in the U.S. which makes it the nation's largest supplier.

During the first half of the 19th century, it was gold many people pursued in North Carolina. A time when the state was the nation's largest gold producer. North Carolina led gold production from 1825 until the California Gold Rush of 1849. Today North Carolina leads the nation in the production of feldspar, lithium, mica, olivine, and pyrophyllite. It is second in clay, phosphate rock, and crushed granite. The largest open face granite quarry in the world is located near Mount Airy. Emeralds, rubies, and sapphires are actively pursued in the western half of the state. The largest blue star sapphire in the world (with over 1,000 carats) was discovered in the state's western mountains in 1988.