The area is also full of history, dating back to the 16th century, when the first English settlement was built - and then vanished. There are also sites from pre-Revolutionary Days through the Civil War. Not to mention the historic lighthouses (including the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, which at 208 feet is the tallest brick lighthouse in the nation). The city of Wilmington is a major US seaport. And, in 1903 the Wright Brothers ushered in the era of flight at Kitty Hawk. The average annual temperature here is 63 degrees. The growing season lasts 295 days." (www.visitnc.com)

"Geography's gift to North Carolina is the largest area of protected inland waters of any state on the East Coast. The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) covers 265 miles as it winds its way through North Carolina from Currituck to Calabash. Offshore, the Gulf Stream swings to within 30 miles of the central North Carolina coast providing excellent fishing opportunities year round. It's no secret that the area offers some of the finest diving available along the East Coast. Bathed by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, scuba divers find a world of incredible beauty beneath the waves. Of course, recreational opportunities are abundant on land, too. Mild winter temperatures allow for a longer outdoor season, and recreation facilities are plentiful. The area has been praised for its availability of public beach access and public boat ramp facilities. Public tennis courts, playgrounds, bike and nature trails also await you. The area is rapidly becoming one of the nation's premiere golfing destinations. There are a number of public and private courses in the area, all with beautiful natural settings and reasonable rates. The opportunities don't stop there. Whether your pleasure is kayaking or kiting, jet-skiing or just shelling, you will find a myriad of ways to spend your time on the central North Carolina coast" www.nccoast.com

Real Estate Whether you’re looking for your first home or searching for that perfect rental property, the NC Coast is the perfect location. Diversity is the key to real estate in on the North Carolina coast. From beach houses to historic homes and everything in between, it’s all available here.

NCCOAST Communications publishes four individual and area-specific HOMES Magazines every month. These real estate magazines have grown to be the authority for available properties offered by local realtors. Individual HOMES magazines published include Crystal Coast HOMES, Craven-Pamlico HOMES, Onslow County HOMES and Topsail HOMES www.nccoast.com

From the barrier islands along the great Outer Banks to the majesty of the Blue Ridge and Smokey mountains and from college towns such as Chapel Hill and Charlotte to the high-tech corridor of the Raleigh-Durham area, North Carolina offers a wealth of natural beauty and resources and a variety of exceptional lifestyles. Historically the “Tar Heel” state has led the way as a pioneer of progress and development. In North Carolina Sir Walter Raleigh established the first English settlement, Fort Raleigh and the Wright Brothers flew the first controlled airplane in the town of Kitty Hawk. The state historically and still today provides a home for industry leaders and innovation.

North Carolina stretches east from Manteo to the western border Murphy and is 560 miles long, making it the longest state east of the Mississippi. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the East, Tennessee on the West, Virginia to the North and South Carolina and Georgia to the South, North Carolina is divided into three distinct geographic areas: the Mountains, the Heartland, often called the Piedmont, and the Coast. Each has its own marvelous features for residents. www.househunt.com