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NCNorth Carolina Map
North Carolina on the US map
North Carolina is located in the South region of the United States — specifically the upland south subregion. With an area ranking of #28 of 50, it is a moderately-sized state. The map above highlights North Carolina in gold and color-codes the other 49 states by region.
Key cities
The capital of North Carolina is Raleigh. The largest city by population is Charlotte. As is the case with most US states, the capital is not the largest city — this is by design, dating back to the late 18th and 19th centuries when state founders deliberately chose smaller, more centrally located towns to host state government and avoid concentrating political and commercial power in the same place.
Borders and neighbors
North Carolina shares land borders with 4 other US states: Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina.
Geographic features at a glance
- Total area rank: #28 of 50
- Population: over 10 million
- Coastline: atlantic
- Mountain ranges: appalachians
- Appalachian range: yes
How to use this map
The map above is interactive — click any state to see its facts and history. North Carolina appears in gold to make it easy to find. The other states are colored by region: Northeast (blue), South (red), Midwest (orange), and West (green). This color coding follows the standard US Census Bureau region definitions and helps you build a mental map of US geography as you explore.
Bordering states
North Carolina shares borders with 4 other US states.
Practice US geography daily
Statedoku is a free 3×3 daily puzzle that quietly teaches US geography. North Carolina appears as the answer or as a constraint clue on most days that match its region, borders, or quirks.
Play today's puzzle →Common questions
Where is North Carolina located?
North Carolina is in the South region of the United States. Its capital is Raleigh and its largest city is Charlotte. The state ranks #28 of 50 by total area.
What states border North Carolina?
North Carolina borders Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina. That's 4 bordering states in total.
Is North Carolina on the coast?
Yes, North Carolina has coastline on the atlantic.
What time zone is North Carolina in?
North Carolina observes Eastern Time.
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