Charlotte, North Carolina
Captivating, Colorful, and Cosmopolitan, Charlotte NC is eager to introduce itself to you. With character to spare, it's no secret that Charlotte delivers cultural distractions and attractions, dining and nightlife for every persuasion, and a Southern ambiance all its own.
More than just the nation's second largest financial center, Charlotte's changing face will surprise you. As a magnet for progressive growth and smart development these days, the Queen City finds itself welcoming more and more new faces-both visitors and residents alike. So meet Charlotte, North Carolina and explore all the wonderful and unforgettable attributes it has to offer. You'll be a fan of this winning city in no time.
Explorer Giovanni da Verrazano landed on what is now North Carolina's shore in 1524, and wrote in his log, "as pleasant and delectable to behold as is possible to imagine." That apt description still holds true and the city of Charlotte, is the crown jewel of the state.
Charlotte is the largest city of North Carolina, and the economic center for the Carolinas. The city was built on the gunnies of the St. Catherine's and Rudisill gold mines, and today, is headquarters to many financial institutions, being the second largest banking center in the World, after New York City.
The same qualities that appeal to visitors have made Charlotte one of the Southeast's premier places to live. More than 500,000 people reside within our borders, approximately 1.3 million within the metro area, and 6 million within a 100-mile radius. We're home to 292 of the top Fortune 500 companies and more than 340 foreign firms. Financial experts know us as the nation's second largest banking center (next to New York City), with more than $362 billion in banking assets. The nation's fifth largest urban region, Charlotte and environs have attracted more and more people who want to become part of our team.
Our location in the sunny, moderate Central region of the Tar Heel state gives us unlimited accessibility. Interstates 77 and 85, which intersect in Charlotte, link the city with the Great Lakes region, New England, and Florida. Interstate 40, running coast-to-coast across the United States, is only an hour north of Charlotte. A two-hour journey to the west takes you to the Blue Ridge Mountains; a three-and-a-half hour trip to the east, to Atlantic beaches. Within an hour's drive east of the city are some of the world's best golf courses.
That spirit made Charlotte the unanimous choice when the National Football League looked for a thriving city in which to expand. It's stimulated tremendous revitalization in the center city, with national developers proposing several large-scale projects that combine residences, shops, restaurants, and entertainment. And it's what, ultimately, you'll remember from your stay here.
The city center is also the cultural soul of the city, with the Charlotte Museum of History, Museum of the New South, and Discovery Place. Charlotte's famous Freedom Park is a favorite recreational area. The city is also home to professional sport franchises, basketball's Bobcats and Sting, and football's Panthers, who made an appearance at the SuperBowl 2004.
Charlotte continues to experience enormous growth as evident by its ever expanding skyline. Real estate has become hot commodity, as more and more people are flocking to Charlotte for all the opportunity and activities it provides, as well as that famous southern hospitality.
Charlotte, North Carolina Chamber of Commerce Website
