Editing North Carolina (section)

== Geography ==
North Carolina is commonly divided into three major geographic regions: the Mountain region, the Piedmont region, and the Coastal Plain. The state’s geography ranges from high mountain peaks to low coastal wetlands, contributing to a wide variety of ecosystems and climates.<ref>North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality – Geography and Climate: https://deq.nc.gov</ref>

=== Mountain Region ===
The Mountain region contains part of the [[Appalachian Mountains]] and includes the highest elevations in the state. It is less densely populated due to its rugged terrain. The region is home to [[Mount Mitchell]], which rises to 6,684 ft (2,037 m) and is the highest peak in the eastern United States.<ref>National Park Service – Mount Mitchell: https://www.nps.gov</ref>  
The area is known for its hardwood forests, scenic parkways, and tourism centered around hiking, outdoor recreation, and traditional Appalachian culture.

=== Piedmont Region ===
The Piedmont region is characterized by rolling hills and moderate elevations. It is the most populous region of North Carolina and contains several major cities, including [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]], the state's largest city, and [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]], the state capital. Other significant cities include [[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro]], [[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]], and [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina|Winston-Salem]].  
The Piedmont is a major center for finance, technology, and research. The region includes the [[Research Triangle]], a major hub for scientific and technological development anchored by three major universities: Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.<ref>Research Triangle Regional Partnership – Economic Overview: https://www.researchtriangle.org</ref>

=== Coastal Plain Region ===
The Coastal Plain is a low-lying, flat region extending to the Atlantic coastline. It includes the state's beaches and barrier islands, such as the [[Outer Banks]]. The region contains extensive farmland, wetlands, and military installations, including Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg).<ref>U.S. Department of Defense – Fort Liberty Overview: https://www.defense.gov</ref>  
Major cities in this region include [[Fayetteville, North Carolina|Fayetteville]] and [[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]]. Wilmington is home to the preserved World War II battleship ''[[USS North Carolina (BB-55)|USS ''North Carolina'']]''.