Charlotte is the largest city in NC and the 20^th largest city in the country. Charlotte is located in Mecklenburg with a population of around 1 million. Nicknamed the “ Queen City” Charlotte is named in honor of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg. It is located in the Piedmont Region of the State. It sets approximately 3 hours from the coast and 2 hours from the Mountains. Charlotte is home to 2 area lakes, Lake Norman and Lake Wylie, which is separated by the Catawba River.

  Charlotte was first settled in 1755 when Thomas Polk, nephew to native US President James K. Polk. He stopped and built his residence at the intersection that is now Trade and Tryon, the epicenter of Charlotte. The town became incorporated in 1768. In 1799 12 year old Thomas Reed brought home a rock weighing 17 lbs. It was recognized by a jeweler as being Solid gold. The State of NC lead the Nation in Gold production until the California gold rush of 1848.

  The cities first boom came after the Civil war as a cotton processing center and railroad hub. The cities modern day banking industry achieved prominence in the 1970’s and 1980’s largely under the leadership of financier Hugh Mcoll. Today, measured by its control of assets, charlotte is the second largest banking headquarters in America after New York City.

  According to the US census bureau the city has a total area of 242.9 miles. The city has mild winters and hot, humid summers. In January lows average 32 degrees F and average Highs around 51 degrees F. In July lows average 71 degrees F and the high average is 90 degrees F.

  Charlotte is home to 8 fortune 500 companies. Bank of America, Wachovia, Duke Energy, Family Dollar, Goodrich Corporation, Nucor, Sonic Auto and SPX Corp. Other major companies headquartered on the Metro Charlotte include Time Warner Cable, Lowes, Continental Tire, Muzak, Belk, Harris Teeter, Meineke Car Care, Lance Inc., Bo jangles, Carlisle Companies, Lending Tree, Compass Group USA, Food lion and the Carolina Beverage Corporation.

  Charlotte is also a major center in the US motor sports industry. Approximately 75% of NASCAR’s drivers and employees are based within 2 hours of downtown Charlotte. Charlotte is also home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

  Estimates from 2006 conclude that the cities breakdown by race is 54.7 % Caucasian, 34.4% black, 11% Hispanic, 4.1 Asian and 4.4% from other races. The median household income is $59,452.

  The Charlotte area Transit System (CATS) is the agency responsible for operating mass transit in Charlotte. CATS operates light rail transit, historical trolleys, express shuttles and bus service. LNYX, Charlotte light rail, opened in November 2007. Charlotte/Douglass International Airport is the 11^th busiest airport in the world and the largest hub of US Airways. Two major interstate Highways, I-85 and I-77 intersect near Charlotte’s center city. Charlotte’s beltway designated I-485 has a circumference that is approximately 67 miles.

  Charlotte has more recently been recognized as a major sports town. Charlotte is home to the NFL”S Carolina Panthers, NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats, NASCAR Racing, AAA minor league baseball’s the Charlotte Knights, Minor league Hockey’s Charlotte Checkers and minor league soccer’s The Charlotte Eagles. Charlotte also plays host too many major sporting events such as PGA Golf tournament “The Wachovia Championship” hosted by Quail Hollow Country Club, the CIAA basketball Tournament, The ACC basketball tournament, the US Olympic Kayaking Trials which takes place at Charlotte’s US Whitewater Rapids Center and NASCAR’s Coca Cola 600.