Carolinas
The Carolinas | |
|---|---|
Region | |
| Coordinates: 34°48′17″N 79°40′31″W / 34.80472°N 79.67528°W | |
| Country | United States |
| States | North Carolina South Carolina |
| Major cities | |
| Largest metropolitan area | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia |
| Largest city | Charlotte |
| Colonized as Province of Carolina | 1663 |
| Area | |
• Total | 85,839 sq mi (222,320 km2) |
| • Land | 78,804 sq mi (204,100 km2) |
| • Water | 7,025 sq mi (18,190 km2) 8.2% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 15,557,813 |
| • Density | 197.42/sq mi (76.226/km2) |
| Demonym | Carolinian |
| GDP (nominal) | |
| • Total | $1.014 trillion (2022) |
| • per capita | $65,145 (2022) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
The Carolinas (informally Carolina) are the U.S. states of North Carolina and South Carolina considered together as a historical or cultural entity. They are bordered by Virginia to the north, Tennessee to the west, and Georgia to the southwest. The Atlantic Ocean is to the east and south.
The Carolinas originally formed the British Province of Carolina during America's early colonial period, from 1663 until they were declared two separate royal colonies in 1729. The land had previously been a part of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, from 1609 to 1663. The province was named Carolina to honor King Charles I of England. Carolina is a feminine form of the Latin word Carolus, meaning "Charles".
The Carolinas have a total of 15,557,813 residents. The largest city of the Carolinas (ranked by land area and population) is Charlotte, North Carolina.