Charlotte

Overview

Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina and ranks as the 14th most populous city in the United States, with more than 900,000 residents. The city was founded in 1768 and named in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of British King George III.

As a leading financial center, Charlotte hosts the corporate headquarters of Bank of America, Honeywell, Truist Financial, and the East Coast headquarters of Wells Fargo—making it the second-largest banking hub in the nation.

Charlotte is a hub for sports, home to professional teams such as the NFL’s Carolina Panthers and the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. The area also boasts the U.S. National Whitewater Center, featuring the world’s largest man-made whitewater river, and the Charlotte Motor Speedway and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Carowinds Amusement Park straddles the North Carolina–South Carolina border and remains a favorite regional attraction.

Nature is also central to Charlotte’s appeal. The city lies just hours from both the scenic beaches of North Carolina and the breathtaking Appalachian Mountains. To the northwest is Lake Norman, the largest man-made lake in the state, offering endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Charlotte is also celebrated for its extensive green spaces and was recently ranked #1 in the U.S. and #29 globally among the greenest cities in the world.