Though Sir Walter Raleigh is arguably more well-known for establishing the ill-fated Roanoke colony during the 1500s, he is also the namesake for North Carolina's capitol city. At the conjunction of the North American Piedmont and the Atlantic Coastal Plain regions, Raleigh's hilly terrain leads toward the plains to its east and the Great Smoky Mountain toward its west. Its humidity averages around 70% throughout the year, consistent with much of the climate in the southeastern region of the U.S. Temperatures fluctuate between right around freezing during the winter to roughly 90 degrees during the summer. With almost four feet of average rainfall, Raleigh is susceptible to a variety of natural disasters, most notably hurricanes (like Hurricane Isabel in 2003).
One of the most fascinating historical facts about Raleigh is its distinctive founding. Raleigh is one of the few cities founded specifically to serve as a state capital. Isaac Hunter's Tavern in the town was a favorite among state legislators in the 18th century, so the city was chosen for its proximity to that. The city was in the Confederacy during the Civil War, but afterward, was home to the first African-American college in the South, Shaw University. Currently, Raleigh has several distinct geographic areas. North Carolina State University is now the main university in the city, occupying its Western portion.
Raleigh is considered one of the better cities in terms of its business environment. It is number 3 on the Forbes 2013 list of best places for businesses and careers. Its location in the North Carolina Research Triangle is ideal for biotech and high-tech industries. The state and public school system are still the largest employers in the city, but a variety of major companies such as BB&T Insurance and Red Hat are based out of the city as well. The city also has an active cultural scene centered around the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion and the North Carolina Museum of Art.
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