8th Grade Soc. St.

TidewaterCoastal PlainPiedmontMountains

What is the Tidewater Region? Barrier Islands- Narrow strip of land b/w the

Atlantic Ocean and sounds Some of the mainland is in the Tidewater region

as well. The southern area is no more than 30 mls. wide, the northern area is larger and 50 mls. wide in some areas.

The land is influenced by the tides/current Sounds are inland bodies of water…a mix of salt

and fresh water. The mixture of the water distinguishes it from

other regions Most of the land is wetlands/salt marshes …

shellfish live and breed.

What are barrier islands? in the Tidewater areaRoanoke Island is in this area…. 1st English

settlement attempt.Barriers are mostly strips of sand…long

ridge of sand spread along the ocean floorThe tips are what we see (like an iceberg)Most are less than 2 miles across/others are

widerHighest point is Jockey’s Ridge. Near Kitty

Hawk- the Wright Bros. flew off of this ridge.Most famous is the Outer Banks

Inlets allow seawater to come in and out with the tides

Because the ocean is continuously turning and churning…..inlets open and close.

Cape Hatteras is known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic”. (fridgid waters colliding with the Gulf Stream)

Cape Fear River runs directly to the Atlantic Ocean. Other rivers dump into the sounds.

5 major sounds Currituck Albermarle Pamlico Core Bogue

½ the tidewater is water bodies Some of NC’s oldest towns are located at

the mouths of rivers or on the sounds Trade was important in this area Wilmington has the only direct outlet to

sea

Wilmington has had the largest town through most of history

Pocosins: indian name for a particular wetland….stands for “swamp on a hill”

Found from Albermarle Sound to Cape Fear

Savannahs- tall grasses mixes other types of pines

Most of the natural lakes are in the Tidewater Region

Largest lake is Lake Mattamuskeet: 15 miles across and only 6 ft. avg. in depth

Major landing pt. for migrating birds and wildlife refuge

It has been the lowest populated area through time

Some locals still speak with an accent. Similar to old English brogue

Examples: These are phrases you may use if

you are speaking in Old English Brogue:

Outsider of the community- called a dingbatter

Being full after a meal- gut full of foodBeing nauseous- quamished in my gut

Richest soil in the state Takes 1/3 of the states land area 100 miles in width Farming is and has been successful due

to the flat land and the rich soil Roanoke, Tar, and Neuse rivers flow into

the Tidewater region Cape Fear River is the longest river in NC Tobacco was the largest crop in NC-

tobacco towns grew (Rocky Mt., Wilson, Greenville, and Goldsboro) provided for the marketing outlets

Each tobacco town had more than ½ dozen tobacco warehouses

In the early 1900s almost every town had 1 warehouse (height of tobacco popularity)

Fewer and fewer people grow tobacco now 2 factors

1. Health risk 2. Government cut off guaranteeing the sale for

profit(longleaf pines were the most popular crop before

tobacco)

100s of elongated depressions in the ground

Located in the Southern part of the Coastal Plain

.5 to 2 miles in length and .5 mile wide No one really knows how or why they

are there White Lake and Singletary Lake are

bays They provide some of the richest soil

and animal habitats in the state

NW of the Carolina Bays Variety of ethnic groups in this area of NC

Whites-descendents of English settlers African-Americans- descendents of slaves Migrants- Latinos that come to farm Lumbee- Indians from Roberson Co. Largest

population of Native Americans in the state Poorest Soil in the state Used for 2 things in NC

Golf Courses (like Pinehurst) Military (Ft. Bragg)

More than ½ is forest Most well known feature- red clay (iron

rich) Kudzu planting in the 1930s has helped

with erosion… it has now taken over in many areas and is now known as the “Monster that ate NC” Kudzu on a hot wet day can grow inches at

a time.Can find it from the hilly areas of NC to the

Mtns.

Divides the Coastal Plain from the Piedmont

Fall line is from No. near Roanoke Rapids to SW past Raleigh and Fayetteville

Fall line is used to separate NC from E to W

Ridge Line divides the Mtns. from the Piedmont

2 major rivers area ….. Yadkin-PeeDee and the Catawba. Travel to SC and go to the ocean by way Charleston, SC

Sectionalism grew due to the lack of connections to the rivers in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain.

Farming has been a struggle in this region, but has been done.

Livestock has been a source of incomes for families

Farming has declined over time and factories/industries have been successful in this area.

Factories were used to process cotton, tobacco, and wood.

Areas with textile industries include: Kannapolis and Gastonia

Areas with tobacco industry include: Durham, Winston-Salem, Reidsville

Areas with furniture industry include: Lenoir, Hickory, and High Point

These 3 industries took a decline in the 1990s; due to overseas factories could do the work cheaper. Thousands lost their jobs.

Many cities have had to adjust and find other economic avenues

Charlotte is home of international banking with Bank of America and Wachovia (headquarters are located there)

Charlotte is also the home of NASCAR Wake Forest University and Duke have

world-class medical facilities and schools Food Lion is the largest private employer

in the state…in Salisbury Growth in Computers, Technology, etc.

has been in RTP in Raleigh.

Uwharrie Mountains- very distinctive landmark of the Piedmont region. It is a cluster of monadnocks. They are located South of Greensboro and East of Salisbury

Monadnocks –is a point of land that sticks out because all the land around it has eroded

Most famous monadnock is Pilot Mountain

Most well known features are:The Blue Ridge….one long land form much

like the barrier islands. Along the top is a national highway – Blue

Ridge Parkway…some of the most beautiful views in the US

Forms the eastern boundary of the Appalachian Mtns.

Rivers on the eastern side of the slopes eventually empty into the Atlantic Ocean

Rivers on the western side of the slopes empty into the tributaries of the Mississippi

Runs from NJ into the deep south

Appalachian Mountains run from NY to AL, but the highest peaks are in NC

43 mtn. tops are in NC that are 6,000 feet above sea level

The highest pt. east of the Rockies is Mt. Mitchell…6,684 feet….Black Mountain Range

Some of the most notable mtn. ranges are …Black Mtns. –west of the blue ridgeGreat Smokies

Coastal Plain rivers run east, Piedmont rivers run south, Mtn. rivers run north and west.

Asheville is the largest city in the Mtns. More than 100 lakes in the mtns., but

they are manmade. Lake Lure is known to be one of the most

beautiful lakes in the world Some of the best features in the NC mtns:

Fontana Lake and Fontana Dam Blowing Rock Chimney Rock Grandfather Mtn. – swinging bridge Nantahala River – white water rafting

Historically less populated and developed than the rest of the state

Early on they made their living by grazing livestock…due to the rich natural vegetation

More recent tourism has contributed to the economy…retirement and vacation homes are popular in this area

The most recent economic booster is the Christmas Tree industry