Economy
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg area is the second largest financial center in the United States. Charlotte boasts a high concentration of many types of financial institutions and resources, including the Bank of America and Wachovia headquarters. The availability of strong financial resources has created a business environment that has limitless opportunities.

As Charlotte continues to attract national and international business giants, the area will continue to retain a stronghold in the southeast, with a competitive edge in the nation, for economic development and diversification.

Transportation
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg metro area is the largest transportation hub in the southeast. The area has excellent air, rail and highway services and resources. The Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is the US Airways hub and hosts the airlines' headquarters. Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation, two major railroad lines, service Charlotte with more than 250 trains weekly.

Charlotte's outstanding highway system has made it the 11th largest trucking center in the US. And, according to the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, "Interstates I-77 and I-85 join the urban centers and manufacturing belts in the northeast, southwest and midwest. I-40 offers an important east/west link." Other major highways include US 74, 29 and 21, and the I-277 and I-485 belt loops and connect the city and interstates.

Social
The Charlotte area is home to 23 colleges, universities and institutions of higher learning, including the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College, Davidson College, Queens University and Johnson C. Smith University.

The area also attracts shows and exhibits through the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, the Mint Museum, Discovery Place and the Children's Theatre of Charlotte, as well as Verizon Wireless Ampitheater and the Bobcats Arena.

The Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department maintains many public parks, lakes greenways and trails. There are several lakes within minutes from Charlotte, and the beaches and mountains are only hours away.