North Carolina is a Southern U.S. state in the United States, also considered a Mid-Atlantic state in some cases. North Carolina is one of the thirteen colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution. It is bordered by South Carolina on the south, Georgia on the southwest, Tennessee on the west, Virginia on the north, and the Atlantic Ocean on the east.

The state is named for King Charles II of England (in Latin, Carolus means Charles).

The USS North Carolina was named in honor of this state.