4 Facts About North Carolina's Capital: How Well Do You Know Raleigh?

Raleigh is centrally located in the state of North Carolina, making it an ideal location for the state's government hub. It is also part of the Research Triangle located in the Piedmont section of the state.

Here are four facts about Raleigh:

1. Raleigh was founded in 1792 and was named for Sir Walter Raleigh, an English explorer, soldier and writer who established a colony near what is now part of Virginia. He was a prisoner of the Tower of London and was accused of treason by King James I. He was eventually put to death. Raleigh, which is in Wake County, is often referred to as "Greater Raleigh" or simply as the Raleigh area. The founding fathers called it the "City of Oaks" due to the number of oak trees in the area.

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2. As part of the triangle that includes Durham and Chapel Hill, along with nearby Cary, Raleigh and is often called the "Smithsonian of the South." The capital city of North Carolina allows residents and visitors alike access to at least 40 free museums and historic attractions.

The North Carolina Museum of History in downtown Raleigh provides visitors with exhibits ranging from military history and sports to decorative arts. Travel back in time to Andrew Johnson's birthplace or study natural sciences or Renaissance art. Whatever your interests, you’ll likely find it in Raleigh.

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3. North Carolina's Capital city is all about education. Raleigh, along with nearby cities Durham and Chapel Hill, is home to many educational opportunities. The North Carolina University at Chapel Hill, Duke University and North Carolina Central, both in Durham, are located within 45 minutes of Raleigh. The City of Raleigh itself is home to North Carolina State University, Meredith College, Shaw University, and Living Arts College.

4. As if you needed another reason to visit Raleigh, check out the Daily Planet, located at the Nature Research Center of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences on Jones Street in downtown Raleigh. The Daily Planet is 72 feet tall and houses a theater complete with a 2,000-square foot video screen, providing viewers with science and nature image. The outside of the hollow steel ball is covered in satellite photos of planet Earth.

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