The State of North Carolina—A History of the Boundaries Surveyed

The North Carolina County and State Boundary Program resurveys ambiguous sections of the state's borders and county boundaries to prevent boundary-related legal disputes between bordering entities and to facilitate real estate property assessments, E-911 services, building inspections, and school assignments. The program employs GPS survey science and historical document detective research. One of the more interesting findings is the collection of historical stories that together have determined the state's unique shape, which is a combination of royal charter, adverse field conditions, and reasons that may forever be unknown. Yet, its beauty comes from being defined by the Atlantic Ocean, the Appalachian Mountains, and two elusive latitudes.

For more information about the North Carolina state and county boundary projects, visit County & State Boundary Info.