| State Abbreviation |
NC |
| Statehood |
November 21, 1789 |
| State Capital |
Raleigh |
| Number of Counties |
100 |
| State Population (2005) | 8,683,242 |
| State Quarter Issue Date |
March 12, 2001 |
| State Flower |
Dogwood |
| Nickname |
Tar Heel State |
| State Flag |
 |
| Area Codes |
252, 336, 704, 828, 910, 919, 980, 984 |
| Top 5 Cities (2000 population) |
| Charlotte | 540,828 |
| Raleigh | 276,093 |
| Greensboro | 223,891 |
| Durham | 187,035 |
| Winston-Salem | 185,776 |
|
| Major Sports Teams |
NFL: Carolina Panthers
NHL: Carolina Hurricanes
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