Introduction
Did you know that North Carolina has 3 different regions within this 1 state? Your family can visit 3 very different places all without leaving your home state!
Task
Your task is to work with your group to explore and become an expert on a region in North Carolina.
You will need to be able to answer:
- 3 main cities in your region
- A historical site in your region
- Sports or recreation activities that happen in your region
- Arts and culture that happen in your region (museums, music, crafts)
- A fun fact about your region (Something you didn't know or you think others don't know!)
Process
North Carolina’s Three Regions
The state of North Carolina is broken into three main regions each with its own unique characteristics. They are the Coastal Plain region, the Piedmont region, and the Mountain region.
The Coastal Plain is between the Atlantic Ocean and the Piedmont region. It is known for huge sand ridges, islands, swampy lowlands, and sounds. About two thirds of the state’s threatened or endangered species make their homes in this region’s wetlands. The elevation goes from sea level to about 500 feet. The Coastal Plain’s climate is marked by long, hot, and humid summers with lots of rain, and mild winters. Major cities include Wilmington, Fayetteville, and Jacksonville. Phosphate and industrial sand are important minerals of the region. The economy of this region is centered around farming, fishing, manufacturing, and service industries such as education, tourism, and films. Many TV shows and major movies have been filmed in this region including Iron Man 3.
The Piedmont region, which covers a little less than half of the state, is located in the middle of the state between the Coastal Plain and the Mountains. Piedmont is a French word meaning “foot of the mountain” which accurately describes the flat, high land and gently rolling hills that lead up to the Mountain region. Charlotte is the largest city in both the region and the state with Raleigh coming in second. Other major cities include Durham, Greensboro, Winston Salem, and High Point. Like the Coastal Plain the Piedmont has long, hot summers. The winters tend to be colder than the Coastal Plain with occasional snow. The economy of this region is diverse including farming, furniture making, education, banking, government, and technology. Minerals found in this area include clay, granite, and crushed stone.
The Mountain region is on the western side of North Carolina. The Appalachian Mountains cover this region and includes the highest peak in the eastern United States, Mount Mitchell at 6,684 feet. There are few urban areas in this part of the state with Asheville claiming the title of largest city. The climate of this region is milder in the summer than the rest of the state. However, the winters are a lot colder with regular snow and ice. Farming is important to the mountain region’s economy. Farmers raise livestock or grow fruits and vegetables. Forests are essential to this region’s economy with trees being used for Christmas trees or made into paper products or building supplies. Other industries include textiles, food products, plastics, and electronics. Mining of feldspar, mica, kaolin, and quartz is popular as well as digging granite, marble, limestone, and talc from the mountains.
As you can see, North Carolina is a state with diverse landforms, climate, and more. Many people visit North Carolina every year to enjoy all it has to offer.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Facts About North Carolina
Coastal Plains Video
Piedmont Video
Mountain Video
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sports and Recreation in North Carolina
Arts and Culture in North Carolina
Evaluation
| 2 points | 1 point | |
| Group Work | My group and I were on task and working together to complete our work. | My group and I could have worked together better. |
| Work Completion | My group and I answered all the questions about our given region and was able to share with the class what we learned. | My group and I did not answer all the questions and/or we struggled to share with the class what we learned. |