Discover the Answers to North Carolina's Most Searched Internet Questions, Including the State's Current Time!

The internet is flooded with countless inquiries about North Carolina, ranging from the serious to the trivial. However, we believe that every question deserves an answer, so we've taken it upon ourselves to be the ones to provide them.

Given our extensive knowledge about North Carolina, we felt it would be grossly irresponsible to sit idly by while people remained ignorant about certain aspects of the state. Thus, we've decided to compile a list of the top searched questions on North Carolina, as determined by a search engine analyzer, ahrefs.com, and provide answers to the best of our ability.

Our hope is that this initiative will help clear up any frustrating gaps in your understanding of North Carolina, and perhaps bring some enlightenment and joy to curious minds all over the world.

1. What is the current time in North Carolina?

The answer to this question is somewhat complex as it varies depending on your location and the current time. While there are certainly plenty of clocks in North Carolina constantly ticking away, time is constantly moving forward and cannot be stopped or reversed.

As Albert Einstein once famously noted, "time is an illusion." It's a concept that has been contemplated by minds much wiser than ours throughout history, from Ancient Greek philosopher Pericles to revolutionary musician Bob Dylan.

While we're not equipped to provide an in-depth explanation of the concept of time in this small space, we can offer this widget to help you determine the current time in North Carolina.

2. What time zone is North Carolina in?

North Carolina is situated within the Eastern Time Zone, which encompasses all or parts of 23 states in the US and the Caribbean. During Daylight Saving Time (DST), which spans from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, it is referred to as Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The rest of the year, it's known as Eastern Standard Time (EST).

EDT is always four hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is the primary time standard used by the world to regulate clocks and time. Time zones all over the world are designated by positive or negative offsets from UTC.

3. What is the population of North Carolina?

According to the April 2020 Census, the population of North Carolina is currently 10,439,388, representing a 9.5% increase from the 2010 Census.

In terms of population rankings, North Carolina stands at number nine, just above Michigan and right below Georgia, if all US states were ordered from highest to lowest population. Also, North Carolina's population is double that of both Ireland and New Zealand, with over one million more residents than Switzerland and Austria.

Furthermore, North Carolina's population exceeds that of Hungarians, the Portuguese, and the Swedes combined.

4. What is the capital city of North Carolina?

North Carolina’s colonial history saw multiple cities become its capital city at different periods. Bath was the first from 1705 to 1722 and was followed by Edenton from 1722 to 1743. Later, New Bern took over until the British laid siege to the city in 1781, leading Fayetteville to act as a temporary capital. Finally, in 1788, North Carolina leaders chose Raleigh as the new capital, which was officially incorporated in 1792. Therefore, the capital city of North Carolina is Raleigh.

5. What is North Carolina famous for?

When it comes to making a quick inventory of the significant features of the state, most people would answer with beaches, barbecue, and basketball. However, it would require a comprehensive examination of North Carolina's cultural, scientific, agricultural, athletic, commercial, and industrial contributions to determine the full range of its significance. That being said, let us stick to the popular answer - beaches, barbecue, and basketball!

6. Who was responsible for the founding of North Carolina?

Historically documented tribes such as the Carolina Algonquian-speaking tribes, the Iroquoian-speaking Meherrin, Cherokee, and Tuscarora, and other Southeastern Siouan tribes were the first to inhabit the region. But, the earliest European exploration was conducted by Giovanni da Verrazzano, an Italian explorer, in 1524. He made landfall at Cape Fear and traveled north along the Outer Banks. Spanish explorers Hernando de Soto and Captain Juan Pardo visited in the late 16th century, trying to claim the land for Spain, but they both failed. Therefore, while there is no one person responsible for the founding of North Carolina, it has a rich history inherited from its native inhabitants and early European visitors.

Sir Walter Raleigh was granted a charter by Queen Elizabeth I in the late 1580s to establish two colonies on the coast of North Carolina. Unfortunately, these colonies did not end well and their fate remains a mystery to this day.

In 1663, the Carolina Province was officially founded by King Charles II, who granted the Province to eight Lord Proprietors: John Berkeley, Sir William Berkeley, George Carteret, John Colleton, Anthony Ashley Cooper, William Craven, Edward Hyde, and George Monck. This new Province included both North and South Carolina.

The current minimum wage in North Carolina is .25 an hour, according to the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL). However, agricultural and domestic employees are subject to the federal minimum wage.

If you're wondering how far away North Carolina is from your current location, it really depends on where you are right now. For example, if you're at Virginia Beach, the state line is about a 45-minute drive. However, if you're in downtown Los Angeles, the distance is approximately 2,200 miles, which equates to a 32-hour car journey with no traffic or stops. For a more accurate estimate, you can use Google Maps by entering your starting point and destination, and the computer will do all the math.

North Carolina recognizes the Plott Hound as its official state dog breed. This dog was given this honor on August 12, 1989, and is described by the American Kennel Club as being a "rugged, relentless hunting dog who is a mellow gentleman at home but fearless, implacable, and bold at work."

As for the score of a North Carolina game, that depends on which specific game you're referring to.

If you crave the outcome of an historic event, none surpasses the 1982 NCAA Championship game. The University of North Carolina Tar Heels prevailed over the Georgetown Hoyas by a slender margin of 63-62. The match showcased the raw talent of novice players Patrick Ewing, Michael Jordan, and James Worthy, who all would subsequently attain superstardom.

Yet, assuming you are scouring the web, you may be after the most RECENT score. Firstly, it is important to specify the sport you have in mind. It is tempting to assume you are interested in the men's basketball team of the University of North Carolina, but you could be referring to any of the UNC teams. Perhaps you are asking about the Carolina Panthers, a professional NFL football team formed in 1995. There is also the Carolina Hurricanes, a National Hockey League team, and the professional soccer club North Carolina FC. Or, for all we know, you might be searching for information on the Burlington Sock Puppets, a baseball team.

To obtain an accurate answer to your inquiry, it is best to provide more specific information.

11. What is the size of North Carolina in square miles?

North Carolina's area covers 53,819 square miles, ranking it the 28th largest state in the country. About 9.5% of North Carolina's area is comprised of water, and the state boasts approximately 322 miles of ocean shoreline.

12. How many Walmarts are there in North Carolina?

According to the Walmart website, 192 stores operate in North Carolina, translating to about one Walmart for every 54,372 people. If the average Walmart store stretches across 180,000 square feet, that results in a total of almost 34.5 million square feet of Walmart space in North Carolina.

13. Which bird is the symbol of North Carolina?

The official bird of North Carolina is the Cardinal, proclaimed by the NC General Assembly in 1943. The North Carolina Bird Club started the campaign to designate a bird as a state symbol, which garnered more than 23,000 votes from the public. Of the twenty-six suggested birds, the cardinal received the most votes with a plurality of 5000, followed by the dove with 3395. Other contenders included the red-winged blackbird, wild turkey, scarlet tanager, and catbird.

However, the beautiful red cardinal bird is not exclusive to the Tar Heel State.

Virginia also adopted the cardinal as its state bird in 1950, and it is shared by other states including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia.

When it comes to the state fish of North Carolina, the Red Drum takes the title. The NC General Assembly named it as such in 1971. This saltwater fish, also known as redfish, spottail, red bass, and channel bass, is found in the southern Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. Red Drum males make a distinctive, drum-like sound during spawning, which is where they get their name. These fish can live up to 40 years and spend most of their time in estuaries and nearshore waters.

As for where to live in North Carolina, the choice depends on one's preferences. The state offers everything from mountain views, city life to beach living, high-tech jobs, college towns, and retirement communities. If you're looking for a great quality of life in one of the world's most beautiful places, this place comes highly recommended. However, national media outlets and websites also have lists to help make the choice easier.

The Eastern Gray Squirrel proudly holds the title of state mammal of North Carolina. Representative Basil Barr of Ashe County surveyed schoolchildren in 1969 to make this decision and referred to the squirrels as "courageous and thrifty." Gray squirrels are scatter-hoarders who hoard huge amounts of food and can make thousands of caches every season. They thrive in all 100 counties in North Carolina and are capable of descending trees head first, thanks to backward-pointing claws on their hind paws.

The North Carolina state sales tax is 4.75%, but local tax rates can raise the total rate to as high as 7.5%. Most counties and municipalities bring this rate to 6.75%-7%, but Currituck County, for example, has a 6.75% rate. The counties with the highest sales tax rate of 7.5% are Durham County and Orange County.

18. What is the Number of Counties in North Carolina?

The state of North Carolina comprises of 100 counties, ranking it eighth in the country for the most counties. Texas leads with 254 counties. However, North Carolina has the potential to surpass Illinois (102) and Kansas (105) with focused effort.

Refer to this guide for comprehensive information on each North Carolina county.

19. What is the origin of North Carolina's nickname "Tar Heel State"?

The University of North Carolina christened its sports teams with the nickname Tar Heel in the 1880s. The term Tar Heel has a long history dating back to the mid-eighteenth and nineteenth century, when North Carolina was a leading producer of turpentine, tar, pitch, and other materials from the abundant pine trees. Frequently applied to poor white laborers, the term Tar Heel and its variant, Rosin Heel, evolved as a nickname for the state and its citizens during the Civil War and garnered popularity after the war.

UNC Alumni site provides additional insights into the origin and history of this nickname. Tar Heel is spelled as two words with two capital letters, contrary to popular search practice.

20. What is the Climate in North Carolina like?

Climate varies across regions in North Carolina. Cold winters and mountain snowfall typify the western part of the state, while coastal regions experience seasonal changes from the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream, resulting in hurricanes and tropical storms. Most parts of the state have a humid subtropical climate, except the high-altitude parts of the Appalachians that exhibit a subtropical highland climate. Snowfall during winter is regular in the mountains, with an average of around 5 inches every year, while spring and summer bring thunderstorms. The coast sees some sunny summer days.

Find out more about the weather in Currituck County and the Outer Banks by visiting this link, while this link gives general information about the climate of the entire state.