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About Greater Raleigh !
When you ’ re looking for the fun , excitement and attractions of a great city , combined with the approachability and appeal of a classic Southern town , look no further than Raleigh . Consistently rated one of the best places to live and work in the U . S ., Greater Raleigh ’ s superb quality of life is no secret .
Excellent cultural and entertainment opportunities . Mild climate . Natural beauty . Convenient and accessible location . Everything you ’ d expect in a metropolitan area , plus a touch of the unexpected .
Dining and Entertainment
Greater Raleigh offers a vast array of dining experiences that cover the globe in style and cuisine . From chef-run bistros to brewpubs to traditional Southern fare , this area boasts superior restaurants with authentic atmosphere . And with more than 125 restaurants and nightclubs in downtown Raleigh alone , you can experience a range of lively nightspots and entertainment districts . Catch a live performance by a local band , dance the night away or be entertained by a comedian at one of several comedy clubs .
Sports
Year-round , you can cheer for one of Greater Raleigh ’ s sports teams . The Carolina Hurricanes ( NHL hockey ) hit the ice September-April ; the Carolina Mudcats ( Single-A baseball ) and the Carolina RailHawks ( pro soccer ) take the field April-September . In addition to professional sports , Raleigh is home to ACC powerhouse N . C . State , which brings exciting collegiate action .
Shopping
The super-regional mall Triangle Town Center is just one of Greater Raleigh ’ s 11 major retail areas . You can also browse the many specialty shops , galleries and outlets , or find the freshest fruits and vegetables in the southeast at the State Farmers Market , Raleigh .
Higher Learning
Greater Raleigh is home to eight major institutions of higher learning , five of which date back to the 19th century : William Peace University ( 1857 ); Shaw University ( 1865 ); Saint Augustine ’ s College ( 1867 ); N . C . State University ( 1887 ); Meredith College ( 1891 ); Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary ( 1956 ); Wake Tech ( 1958 ); and Campbell University ’ s School of Law ( 2009 ).
Heritage
North Carolina ’ s capital city area is also rich in African-American heritage , with more than 50 historic and cultural sites , including Hamlin Drug Store and two historically black universities , founded in the 1860s .
Raleigh facts
History Raleigh was founded in 1792 as North Carolina ’ s capital city . It was named for Sir Walter Raleigh , who attempted to establish the first English colony on the shores of the New World in the 1580s .
Nickname The city ’ s founding fathers called Raleigh the “ City of Oaks ” and dedicated themselves to maintaining the area ’ s wooded tracts and parks .
Population Raleigh : 403,892 , Wake County : 929,780 ; Raleigh-Cary metro : 1.16 million
Size Raleigh : 114 square miles ; Wake County : 831.92 square miles
Visitors 10.72 million annually
Sales Tax 4.75 % state tax 2 % county tax
Climate Summers range from the mid-60s to the mid-80s ; spring and fall average in the 70s ; winters hit the high 20s to mid 50s . ( Temperatures F ). Mean annual rainfall ( inches ): 44.23 .
Geography 434 feet above sea level , Raleigh lies in east-central North Carolina , where the hilly Piedmont region meets flat coastal plain .
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Ideal Location
Located centrally on the East Coast , Greater Raleigh is halfway between Florida and New York City . The location is convenient for trips to the beautiful beaches of North Carolina ’ s Outer Banks or to the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains to the west .