North Carolina’s “Research Triangle,” is home to Raleigh, the state capital. It is also home to 380,173 people and is in the Piedmont Region. Filled with live oak trees, it has come to be called “The City of Oaks.” When Wake County was formed in 1770, a search for a capital had begun. In 1778, Raleigh became the capital, officially becoming the state capital and the county seat in 1792. The location of the city was actually chosen so that it was within 10 miles of Isaac Hunter’s Tavern, frequented by state legislators.

Raleigh has a broad economic base that includes industries such as electronic, electrical, medical and telecommunications equipment; pharmaceuticals; food processing; paper products and other smaller industries. North Carolina State University and Wake Technical Community College are here. Thumbing through the yellow pages will provide an amazing list of prominent businesses that are now based in Raleigh.

Raleigh is divided into districts. Downtown/Old Raleigh, is home to the Historic District; East Raleigh, is undergoing massive development; North Raleigh is strictly suburban developments; Midtown Raleigh is where many shopping centers and mixed-use complexes are; South Raleigh is the least developed area; Southeast Raleigh is the most diverse ethnically, economically and architecturally.

There are many excellent museums represented, among them the African American Cultural Complex, North Carolina Museum of Art, Museum of Natural Sciences, Sports Hall of Fame, and the Pope House. The Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion is host to many touring celebrities. The Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts is home to Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, Meymandi Concert Hall, the Kennedy Theatre and Fletcher Opera Theatre. Raleigh is also a big sports town, with the Hurricanes of the NHL and most sports represented. The North Carolina local directory can assist in getting hours of operation as well as directions.