Piedmont Crescent

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The Piedmont Crescent is geographical phenomenon of closely connected populated areas in the U.S. state of North Carolina that forms the shape of a crescent. The area is in the Piedmont region and stretches from Charlotte (facing north) clockwise on a curve toward Raleigh; Greensboro is the approximate midpoint of the curve. The Piedmont Crescent spans outward from this imaginary curve a distance of roughly 30 miles on each side. The area is notable for being the fourth largest manufacturing region in the country, especially in the industries of tobacco and textiles.

The Crescent contains the state's five largest cities and many smaller cities and towns, as well as portions of the metropolitan regions of the Piedmont Triad, The Triangle, and Metrolina. The shape is thought to have been originally conceived when the North Carolina Railroad Company first laid tracks through the region in 1855-56. The rail line, which was named the "Piedmont Crescent Railroad" brought growth to communities along the tracks, eventually forming the interlinked populated areas of today. Today, Interstate 85 and Interstate 40 provide the skeletal transportation structure for the Crescent, forming part of the I-85 Corridor.

Usage

Usage of the term "Piedmont Crescent" began to dissipate around the 1990s as the three major metropolitan areas of the state each began to develop popular identities (e.g. Triangle, Piedmont Triad). Today, "Piedmont Crescent" is rarely used to define the region and the term holds only a geographical significance.

Major cities

Five largest cities

• Charlotte
• Durham
• Greensboro
• Raleigh
• Winston-Salem

Other major cities

• Belmont
• Burlington
• Carrboro
• Cary
• Chapel Hill
• Concord
• High Point
• Garner
• Gastonia

• Graham
• Hillsborough
• Kannapolis
• Kernersville
• Lexington
• Mebane
• Salisbury
• Thomasville

See also

• Piedmont (Amtrak)
• Crescent (Amtrak)

References

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Last updated on Monday June 25, 2007 at 10:46:47 PDT (GMT -0700)
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