NC Quick Facts
Date North Carolina became a state: November 21, 1789
Governor: Roy Cooper
State Motto: Esse Quam Videri: To be rather than to seem
State Song: The Old North State
State Colors: Red and Blue
State Bird: Cardinal
State Flower: Dogwood
State name origin and nicknames: Carolina, the Tar Heel State, the Old North State
Population estimate: 10,042,802 people (U.S. Census Bureau, 2015)
Population rank: 10th largest state in the United States
Largest city (population): Charlotte -- 827,097 people (U.S. Census Bureau, 2015)
Total land area: 48,617.91 square miles
Land area rank: 28th largest state in the United States by land area
Number of counties: 100
Highest point in North Carolina: Mount Mitchell