Charlotte

The Queen City

  • Motto: Hold Fast

  • Flora: Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)

  • Fauna: Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina)

  • Insect: Hornet

Charlotte, CE

  • Population: 1,115,482

  • Founded: 1768

  • Former State: North Carolina

  • Counties: Mecklenburg

Founded in 1768, Charlotte is known as "The Queen City," named in honor of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The city has grown from a small colonial town into one of the major financial centers of the United States, second only to New York City in banking assets. As home to major corporations like Bank of America and the East Coast operations of Wells Fargo, Charlotte is a powerhouse of economic growth, attracting professionals and businesses from around the world.

Charlotte encompasses all of Mecklenburg County, forming a cohesive urban region with a diverse population and booming economy. The city’s strategic location in the Piedmont region of North Carolina has made it a major transportation hub, with Charlotte Douglas International Airport serving as a key gateway for both domestic and international flights. The city's infrastructure includes a growing public transit system, with the light rail connecting Charlotte’s expanding neighborhoods.

Culturally, Charlotte is known for its deep ties to NASCAR, along with being home to the Carolina Panthers (NFL) and the Charlotte Hornets (NBA). The city’s sporting heritage is celebrated through major events such as the Coca-Cola 600 and the Wells Fargo Championship, attracting fans from across the country. Charlotte’s thriving culinary scene, performing arts venues, and diverse entertainment options further enhance its vibrant cultural landscape.

Uptown Charlotte, the city’s central business district, is home to sleek skyscrapers, cultural institutions like the Mint Museum, and green spaces such as Romare Bearden Park, Uptown has become a hub for business, arts, and entertainment. As one of the Southeast’s most dynamic urban centers, Charlotte’s blend of development and livability makes it a model of innovation and progress.

44

If Charlotte was admitted as a state today, it would be the 44th largest by population, between Montana and Rhode Island.