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Charlotte NC is the most populous city in the state of North Carolina and the 21st largest city in the United States. According to 2006 estimates, Charlotte is the 5th fastest growing city in the US and the fastest growing city on the East Coast.
Charlotte was founded in 1768 and named in honor of Queen Charlotte, the wife of England's King George III. Its nickname is The Queen City. The city grew up around railway lines. After the Civil War, textiles became prominent in Charlotte's economy. However, today Charlotte is one of the country's largest banking centers, second only to New York City.
Several Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the Charlotte metropolitan area, such as Wachovia, Bank of America and Duke Energy. Charlotte is
also a major center in the US motorsports industry, with NASCAR having several offices in and around Charlotte.
Charlotte is conveniently located to the Smoky Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway, beaches and the Atlantic Ocean, which are only a few hours away. Charlotte boasts of over 100 golf courses, 15,000 acres of parklands, many museums and cultural centers, and a 100 acre amusement park. Charlotte's major sports leagues include the NFL Panthers, NBA Bobcats, ECHL Checkers, PGA, and NASCAR.
Charlotte is serviced by an international airport, 2 major interstates and the largest consolidated US rail system. Charlotte currently operates the largest transit system between Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, GA, CATS (Charlotte Area Transportation System). 2007 saw the opening of the LYNX system (Charlotte's first light rail service).
Charlotte is home to one of the country's largest public school systems. Over 132,000 children are taught in 161 elementary, middle and high schools. Private schools and Charter schools are also educational options. Several colleges and universities are located in and around Charlotte, including University of NC at Charlotte, Queens University, Johnson & Wales, Johnson C. Smith University and Davidson College. |
