The capital of North Carolina is Raleigh, located in Wake County of the Piedmont Region. Known as the “City of Oak”, the city is nestled in the fall line of the state marked by the plain of rolling hills. The subtropical climate means there is typically moderate weather year round with an occasional snowy winter and a hot summer.
It is the second most populous city in the state with an estimated population of 380,173. The city is clumped into seven major regions including Old Raleigh, Midtown Raleigh, Southeast Raleigh, East, West, North, and South Raleigh. The city is apart of the Research Triangle with its partner cities Chapel Hill and Durham. Referred to as simply “The Triangle”, it is recognized as one of the country’s most prominent centers for high-tech and biotech research and textile development.
There are a wealth of museums within the city including the Haywood Hall House and Gardens, North Carolina Museum of Art, and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. The Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek and the Progress Energy Center for Performing Arts showcase acts from around the world. Among the performing companies in Raleigh includes the North Carolina Symphony, Burning Coal Theatre Company and the Carolina Ballet.