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Geographic region of North Carolina, U.S.
Photo: Abhiram Juvvadi, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Sprawling in the heart of North Carolina's Piedmont, the Research Triangle is a metro area of about two million people. The ever-expanding Triangle is unique as a metro area, since it is centered around three cities instead of just one. These cities are Raleigh, the state capital; Durham, a city with industrial roots; and Chapel Hill, a notable college town.
By car
By train
Amtrak serves the Triangle with three routes: the Piedmont runs twice-daily to Charlotte, a trip of just over three hours, serving Raleigh, Cary, and Durham.
By bus
C. route. The regional bus system PART (Piedmont Authority for Regional Transit) has one line to Chapel Hill from the Piedmont Triad.
Given the very spread-out and suburban nature of the Triangle, driving is easily the most convenient way to get around.
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Raleigh/Durham · International · RDU
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A lovely college town based around the University of North Carolina, with college basketball, live music venues, and a beautiful campus with colonial-style brick buildings.
Once the center of tobacco country, now home to the Gothic-style architecture of Duke University, a vibrant arts scene, and a revitalizing downtown district.
The state capital, home to many of the state's cultural institutions, including three state museums, the state's performing arts center, and North Carolina State University.
An expanding suburb near the Research Triangle Park.
A sprawling, fast-growing suburb west of Raleigh.
A town south of Raleigh, now a growing suburb.
A historic settlement west of Durham that's home to arts and music festivals.
Historic town with a sanctuary for tigers and other big cats.
Historic town that served as the original home of Wake Forest University and is the current home of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Benson is in North Carolina.
Henderson is in North Carolina.
Princeton is a small town in Johnston County, North Carolina with a population of approximately 1,200 people.
Sanford is a city of about 30,000 people (2018) in the North Carolina countryside, in between the Piedmont Triad, Research Triangle, and Fayetteville. Sanford is known for its large brick production as well as local pottery, and offers outdoor activities and historic districts.
Smithfield and Selma are a pair of adjacent towns in Johnston County, North Carolina.
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