Charlotte is a cosmopolitan city rich in culture, history, and recreational and educational opportunities. From its humble roots as a Scottish and Irish settlement where two American Indian trading posts were the only signs of commerce, Charlotte has grown into the second largest financial center in the country. The once-primitive roads leading up to those trading posts are now Trade and Tryon streets, and their intersection -- called the Square -- is the center of commerce uptown.

Four bronze statues by Raymond Kaskey are positioned at the four corners of the Square. Each symbolizes a factor in the city’s economic growth: commerce is represented by a gold miner, the textile market by a female mill worker, transportation by a railroad builder, and the city’s future by a mother lifting her baby to the sky. Charlotte’s financial security was assured when the U.S. Mint opened a branch in the city in 1837. Today more than 200 banks have offices in Charlotte. Two of the nation’s largest banks, Bank of America and First Union, have headquarters within the city limits.

Charlotte is known as the “Queen City” in honor of Queen Charlotte of England. Mecklenburg County is named for the queen’s birthplace. Despite the region’s break with England in 1775 when the Mecklenburg Resolves were signed, Queen Charlotte’s influence is everywhere. Street signs and city flags bear a crown and the letter M. The 60-story Bank of America building -- which as many floors as the number of years that the queen ruled -- sparkles at night like a royal tiara. A painted bronze statue of the queen is situated at the north end of the airport.

More than 1.3 million residents live in the Charlotte metro area and approximately 500,000 live within the city itself. Ideally located in the center of the "Tar Heel" state, Charlotte gives residents easy access to all the cultural and recreational offerings of this unique region. Two hours to the west are the Blue Ridge Mountains, while three-and-a-half hours to the east are the Atlantic Ocean and its stunning beaches. Charlotte is home to a number of museums including the Levine Museum of the South, the Mint Museum of Art, the Charlotte Nature Museum, the Charlotte Museum of History, the Hezekiah Alexander Homesite, and the Mint Museum of Craft + Design. Those who enjoy live theatre and music will not want to miss the performances at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra or the Afro-American Children's Theater.

Plenty of exciting sporting events can be found throughout the city. The Charlotte Coliseum is home to the Hornets and the Sting, representing the National Basketball Association and Women’s National Basketball Association, respectively. The Carolina Panthers hike the ball at Ericsson Stadium uptown, while the Charlotte Checkers, an International Hockey League team, face off at Independence Arena. Lowe's Motor Speedway holds stock car races from May to October. The Charlotte Speed Street Festival is held every year in conjunction with the annual Coca-Cola 600, a high-performance race at the speedway.

Charlotte has more than 100 parks, many with lakes in addition to the usual picnic areas, ball fields and multi-use courts. Jeton Park at Lake Norman offers hiking and bicycling trails. Swimming, boating, fishing, windsurfing, water skiing and sailing are popular activities at Lake Norman. There are public and private golf courses throughout the city and suburbs. Indoor recreational facilities can be found as well. Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center and Marion Diehl Pool Center offer swimming and diving. Ice-skating is available at the Ice Chalet at Eastland Mall.

Charlotte is a shopper’s paradise. There are a number of malls anchored by major department stores, including SouthPark Mall, Eastland Mall and Carolina Place Mall. Founder’s Hall, located in the Bank of America Corporate Center, offers shopping uptown. The Peppermint Forest Christmas Shop at Carmel Commons sells holiday decorations year-round. Antiques can be found at Old Firehouse Antiques uptown and at the Hole in the Wall flea market. Interiors Marketplace in the restored Atherton Textile Mill specializes in everything from antiques to modern and contemporary furnishings and accessories. Cannon Village, Concord Outlet Mall, and Outlet Marketplace offer discount and outlet shops.