North Carolina

One of the e. States. Area 52,250 sq. m. The e. part is low, level, and largely marshy. Westward it rises gradually to the foot of the Blue Ridge, which is spread out into an extensive group of high mountains, forming the culminating part of the Appal a chi an system. It contains many peaks exceeding 5,000 ft. and several above 6,000 ft. in elevation, Mt. Mitchel, the highest summit of the Appal a chi an system, being 6,707 ft. high. Most of the streams head in the Blue Ridge and flow s.e. to the Atlantic; a few head in the high mountains and flow w. to the Tenne ee. The larger of the Atlantic streams are navigable to the Fall Line, at the junction of the Archæan and Eocene formations. The surface 1068 geology of the State is simple. The mountain region and the upper part of the Atlantic slope are covered by Archæan rocks. To these succeed a belt running n.e. and s.w. of the Eocene formation, in turn succeeded by a broad extent of Neocene beds stretching to the coast. The industries mainly relate to agriculture. Tobacco and cotton are raised in large quantities. The value of farms in 1890 was $183,977,010; of agricultural products, 1889, $50,070,530. The cotton crop in 1894-95 was ab. 465,000 bales, and tobacco, 1894, 42,043,626 lbs. In 1894, 546,855 lbs. of monozite, value $36,193, and 323 tons of zinc ore were mined. The mileage of railroads at the close of 1893 was 3,577. Attempts at colonization were made 1585 and 1587. In 1663 a grant was made to eight noblemen of the province, including both Carol in as, and shortly after came colonies of French, Swi , and German immigrants. The province was divided 1729, and separate governments established. N. C. ratified the Declaration of Independence and framed a State constitution 1776. She seceded May 1861. Capital, Raleigh. Pop., 1890, 1,617,947. (See Map, page 157.)