Eastern North Carolina is known for its 300-mile stretch of beautiful sandy beaches that kiss the Atlantic Ocean. The region is also rich in history: It is home to Battleship North Carolina, Cape Hatteras and a half-dozen other lighthouses, and the birthplace of aviation, the Wright Brothers Memorial. The region also features vibrant agricultural, education and health care sectors.
BIGGEST COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
- East Carolina University, Greenville
- UNC Wilmington
- UNC Pembroke
- Fayetteville State University
- Fayetteville Technical Community College
- Cape Fear Community College
- Pitt Community College
ATTRACTIONS
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Wright Brothers Memorial, the Outer Banks
- Carolina Beach Boardwalk
- Historic Tryon Palace, New Bern
- Battleship North Carolina, Wilmington
- Airlie Gardens, Wilmington
- 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse, Edenton
- North Carolina Aquariums: Kure Beach, Roanoke Island, Nags Head and Pine Knoll Shores
- Fort Fisher State Historic Site, Kure Beach
- N.C. Maritime Museums: Beaufort, Hatteras, Southport
EVENTS
- North Carolina Azalea Festival, Wilmington, April
- Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, Fayetteville, April
- North Carolina Pickle Festival, Mount Olive, April
- Hang Gliding Spectacular, Nags Head, May
- Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, Atlantic Beach, June
- Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree, Ocracoke, October
- North Carolina Seafood Festival, Morehead City, October
- Wilmington Riverfest, Wilmington, November
- Wilson Whirligig Festival, November
INDUSTRIES
- Aerospace and defense
- Agriculture
- Biotechnology
- Marine trades
- Metalworking
- Textiles
- Tourism
COUNTIES
Anson, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Montgomery, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pender, Pitt, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Tyrrell, Washington, Wayne and Wilson