North Carolina: Some Special Highlights

North Carolina leads the U.S. in textile production.

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in the U.S.

The first drawbridge built in the United States was built over the Cape Fear River.

The University of North Carolina was the first public university in the United States.

North Carolina has the largest state-maintained highway system in the U.S., with 77,400 miles of roads.

The world's smallest daily newspaper is the Tryon Daily Bulletin.

The first miniature golf course was opened in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

The first English child born in America, Virginia Dare, was born in Roanoke, North Carolina, in 1587.

North Carolina was the first state to declare independence from England with the Mecklenburg Declaration of 1775.

Cabarrus County, North Carolina, was the site of America's first gold rush.

The first state art museum in the country is located in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Albemarle Sound is the largest freshwater sound in the world.

Address: North Carolina Tourism Division, 301 N Wilmington Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-2825; 919-733-8372; 800-847-4862; Fax: 919-715-3097. Web: http://www.visitnc.com.