Raleigh (redirected from capital of North Carolina)

Raleigh (rôl`ē, räl`ē), city (1990 pop. 207,951), state capital, and seat of Wake co., central N.C.; the site was selected for the capital in 1788, and the city was laid out and inc. 1792. It is a political, cultural, trade, and industrial center; the Raleigh-Durham airport is an air travel hub. The city's industries include electrical, medical, electronic, and telecommunications equipment; apparel; food processing; paper products; and pharmaceuticals. A research center for textiles and chemicals, Raleigh is part of North Carolina's Research Triangle, an area and organization shared with Chapel Hill and Durham that utilizes the scientific talent of the three cities' universities. The cooperative has drawn numerous insurance firms and other corporations to Raleigh, which has become one of the fastest-growing U.S. cities.

The first capitol (built 1792–94) burned in 1831 and was replaced by the present building, completed in 1840. In the Civil War, Union general Sherman occupied the city on Apr. 14, 1865. Raleigh is the seat of North Carolina State Univ., Shaw Univ., Meredith College, St. Augustine's College, St. Mary's College, and Peace College. It has libraries, museums, an aboretum, a notable governor's mansion, and several 18th-century houses, including the birthplace of President Andrew Johnson, whose home is preserved as a historic site. The city is the site of an arts complex that includes the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, A. J. Fletcher Opera Theater, and Meymandi Concert Hall, and is also the home to the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes.

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Raleigh

City (pop., 2000: 276,093), capital of North Carolina, U.S. It was selected as the state capital in 1788 and was laid out in 1792. It is a major retail shipping point for eastern North Carolina and a wholesale distributing point for food stores. Manufactures include textiles, electronic equipment and computers, and processed foods. Along with Durham and Chapel Hill, Raleigh is part of North Carolina's Research Triangle—an area of cultural, scientific, and educational institutions that includes Duke University and the University of North Carolina.

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Raleigh¹, Ralegh

Sir Walter. ?1552--1618, English courtier, explorer, and writer; favourite of Elizabeth I. After unsuccessful attempts to colonize Virginia (1584--89), he led two expeditions to the Orinoco to search for gold (1595; 1616). He introduced tobacco and potatoes into England, and was imprisoned (1603--16) for conspiracy under James I. He was beheaded in 1618

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Raleigh²

a city in E central North Carolina, capital of the state. Pop.: 316 802 (2003 est.)