Charlotte is a city located in North Carolina that is known as the “Queen City.” In this blog post, we will discuss 20 quick facts about Charlotte that you may not know!
1. Charlotte happens to be the banking hub of the American South
Charlotte is the 17th largest city and has the second-largest banking sector after New York, considering the assets held in the United States.
It houses the Bank of America, New Dominion Bank, Carolina Premier Bank, and BB&T’s 2-acquisition of Sun Trust.
2. Fastest population growth
Charlotte has a population growth rate of 1.45% annually. The city has gone through a population increase of 26.51% since 2010.
According to the latest US census, the current population of Charlotte is 925,290. It has an area of about 307 square miles and a population density of about 3012 per square mile.
3 Airport service and amenities
Matching the southern hospitality of Douglas Airport, Charlotte offers many services and amenities.
It has a mother’s room, pet relief areas, airport volunteers, canine crews, currency exchange ATMs, an interfaith chapel, and many more. The airport also provides local travelers with the option to valet a car.
4. It has many land and water activities for leisure
One can take part in several land and water activities at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. It is home to the largest man-made whitewater river.
You can do kayaking, whitewater rafting, stand-up paddle-boarding, rock climbing, mountain biking, trail running, etc. there. These cover all ages and skill levels.
5. Overwhelming metropolitan landscape
Charlotte, NC has a unique and contrasting landscape around it. It allows one to have the joy of laying on a white sandy beach of the Atlantic and also to hike in mountains just taking a couple of hours drive.
Crowders Mountain is only 25 miles from the city. It offers spectacular trails.
6. Humid subtropical climate
Charlotte has a warm and temperate climate. It also has significant rainfall.
July is the warmest month. January happens to be the coldest month.
7. Cheese capital of the world
Mass production of pimento cheese was started in Charlotte in 1953. A family-owned kitchen was first engaged in selling cheese to the local grocers.
Ruth’s salad produces around 45,000 pounds of pimento cheese per week. The place is listed as the global cheese capital.
8. The Tyron and Trade Streets
The foundation of Charlotte was on two Indian trading paths. Two major roads stretched across the present uptown of Charlotte in the 1700s.
The great wagon road is one of them. These roads became the Tyron and Trade Streets and are known as the heart of the city.
9. Premium gold producer
Charlotte was the leading gold producer in the United States for over 50 years until the California Gold Rush began in 1848.
The Reed Gold Mine was the first gold mine in the USA. Even today, one can visit the restored mine tunnel through guided tours.
10. Gave birth to an astronaut
Astronaut Charles Moss Duke Jr. was born on October 3, 1935, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
He was a lunar model pilot of Apollo 16 in 1972. Duke was the 10th and the youngest man to walk on the moon when he was only 36 years old.
11. Firebird Sculpture
Affectionately known as the ‘Disco Chicken’ among the locals, the Firebird Sculpture was completed in 1991.
It is embellished with over 7,000 colored glass pieces and stands at the entrance of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.
12. Largest metropolitan area without a zoo
Charlotte has many things to offer.
It is the largest city in the state and features a beautiful cityscape, several tourist attractions, and a lot of outdoor activities. But if you want to look at some wild animals, you will have no luck there! It has no zoo.
13. Named after the queen
Charlotte is also known as Queen City. The founding of the city was in 1768. It was incorporated as ‘Charlotte Town’.
The city was given this name in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen of King George III. It now belongs to Mecklenburg County.
14. Hornet infatuation
‘The Hornet’s Nest’ is the nickname of the city. Its NBA team is known as the “Hornets’. The police vehicles also carry a hornet nest logo. But why they are like that? The British General Charles Cornwallis faced tough resistance when he marched here in 1780.
He called Charlotte a “hornet’s nest of rebellion.” And the populace embraced the name.
15. Nonagenarian marathon runner
Harriette Thompson of Charlotte, a cancer warrior, completed the San Diego Rock n’ Roll 26.2 mile marathon in 7 hours, 24 minutes, and 35 seconds when she was 92. She took part in the race every year from 1999 to 2015, except in 2003 for cancer treatment.
16. METALmorphosis
This giant sculpture is the creation of the Czech artist David Cerny. It is 7 meters high and weighs 13 tons.
This rotating self-portrait is worth visiting at the Whitehall Corporate Center in Charlotte.
17. Setting a milestone
The Charlotte native Charlie Sifford happens to be the first Afro-American to take part in the PGA Tour in 1961.
Again in 1967 he took part in the Greater Hartford Open and also played in the Los Angeles Open in 1969. He became a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
18. House of the First Family Dollar Store
Charlotte has the honor of opening the first Family Dollar Store in November 1959. He was only 22 at that time.
It grew into a chain of 50 Family Dollar Stores within 10 years. And by 2013, Family Dollar had 78,000 outlets in 48 states across the country.
19. It houses Discovery Place
It is a not-for-profit organization. The place is dedicated to exploring science and the natural world.
The place has extraordinary exhibits and also holds educational programs. These are for visitors of all ages. There is also a kids’ museum and an Accenture IMAX dome theater.
20. Charlotte has a racing heritage
Charlotte is the NASCAR capital and houses the NASCAR Hall of Fame. It can educate both racing fans and others alike.
Visiting there, one can see artifacts, exhibits, and a state-of-the-art theater. Racing fans can also visit the Charlotte Convention Center.
Conclusion
Charlotte is a city with a lot to offer, from its rich history to its modern attractions. Whether you’re looking to learn more about the city’s past or just enjoy its present, Charlotte has something for everyone.
So come on down and see what all the fuss is about! You might be surprised at everything this Queen City has to offer.
