According to ehuacom, Asheville, North Carolina is a city located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. It is the largest city in western North Carolina and serves as the county seat for Buncombe County. The city is situated in a valley between two mountain ranges, the Great Smoky Mountains to the north and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the south. Asheville has an elevation of 2,134 feet and covers an area of approximately 45 square miles.
The geography of Asheville is characterized by its mountainous terrain which is made up of rolling hills, steep valleys, and deep gorges. The landscape offers breathtaking views of distant peaks and ridges as well as lush forests filled with a variety of plant and animal life. There are numerous rivers that flow through Asheville including the French Broad River which runs through downtown Asheville and offers plenty of opportunities for rafting, kayaking, fishing, and swimming.
In addition to its natural beauty, Asheville also boasts many man-made attractions such as Biltmore Estate which was built by George Vanderbilt in 1895. This 250-room chateau is one of America’s most visited historic homes and includes 8,000 acres of gardens, trails, wineries, shops, restaurants and more. Other popular attractions include The North Carolina Arboretum which features 65 acres of cultivated gardens; Chimney Rock Park which offers stunning views from a 2200 foot peak; and The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa which sits atop Sunset Mountain and overlooks downtown Asheville.
Asheville’s unique geography provides residents with year round access to outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking trails along mountain ridges or exploring waterfalls hidden deep within lush forests. With its diverse topography ranging from low-lying valleys to high peaks over 6500 feet above sea level there are plenty of places to explore!
History of Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina has a long and rich history that dates back to the early 18th century. The area was first inhabited by the Cherokee Indians who called the region “Shaconage” which translates to “land of blue smoke” in English. In 1784, William Davidson became the first white settler in Asheville and established a trading post. By 1795, more settlers began arriving and the area was incorporated as Buncombe County in 1791.
In 1828, Asheville was officially declared a town and it quickly became a popular destination for wealthy plantation owners from South Carolina who sought cooler climates during the summer months. The city experienced tremendous growth during this time as new businesses opened up and several hotels were built along with churches, schools, and other civic buildings.
Asheville continued to grow throughout the 19th century and by 1900 it had become a major tourist destination due to its scenic mountain views, mild climate, and abundance of outdoor activities available. In 1895, George Vanderbilt constructed Biltmore Estate which further increased Asheville’s popularity as a tourist destination as visitors flocked to see this 250-room chateau located on 8,000 acres of gardens, trails wineries shops restaurants and more.
Today, Asheville is home to approximately 92 thousand people who enjoy its vibrant culture made up of unique shops galleries restaurants music venues festivals art galleries outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking biking rafting kayaking fishing swimming camping etc. With its rich history scenic beauty abundance of outdoor activities and vibrant culture it is no wonder why Asheville has become one of North Carolina’s most beloved cities!
Economy of Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina is a vibrant city with a thriving economy. The city has been a major economic hub in the region since the 19th century and continues to be an important part of the state’s economy today. The city has a diverse range of industries, including tourism, manufacturing, finance and technology.
Tourism is one of Asheville’s most important industries and it is estimated that over 10 million visitors come to the city each year. This influx of tourists contributes significantly to the local economy as they spend money on hotels, restaurants, shopping, entertainment and other services. In addition to tourism, Asheville is also home to several large manufacturing companies such as Moog Music Inc., New Belgium Brewing Company, GE Aviation Systems and Continental Tire North America.
The finance industry is another major player in the Asheville economy with several banks and insurance companies based in the city including Bank of America and BB&T. The technology sector has also grown rapidly in recent years with many start-ups setting up shop in Asheville due to its low cost of living and access to talent from nearby universities such as UNC Asheville.
The city also boasts an active entrepreneurial community with several incubators and accelerators providing resources for start-ups such as Venture Asheville which offers mentorship programs networking events educational opportunities funding sources and more. In addition to its strong business base, Asheville also has a flourishing arts scene which attracts artists from all over the world who come here to perform exhibit their works or take classes at local schools such as The Asheville Art Museum or River Arts District studios.
Overall, Asheville’s economy is diverse and vibrant thanks to its combination of traditional industries such as manufacturing finance technology tourism and its flourishing entrepreneurial community which are all contributing significantly to the growth of this beautiful mountain city!
Politics in Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina is a city located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina and has a population of over 92,000 people. The city has been known for its progressive politics since the late 19th century and remains a stronghold of progressive ideals today.
At the local level, Asheville is governed by an elected City Council. Members are elected to four-year terms and serve on a nonpartisan basis. The City Council sets policy for the city, appoints members to various boards and commissions, and oversees the budget process. The current City Council consists of seven members who have been elected from districts across Asheville.
The mayor of Asheville is elected every two years on a nonpartisan ballot. The current mayor is Esther Manheimer, who was first elected in 2013 and reelected in 2015. She has made it her mission to make Asheville an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable place to live for all its citizens. She has supported initiatives such as increasing affordable housing stock throughout the city and providing access to quality healthcare services to underserved populations in Asheville’s low-income neighborhoods.
At the state level, North Carolina’s General Assembly is responsible for making laws that apply statewide. This includes passing bills related to taxes, education funding, healthcare reform, criminal justice reform, transportation infrastructure projects, environmental regulations and more. North Carolina’s legislature consists of 50 Senators representing 50 districts across the state and 120 Representatives representing 120 districts across the state. All legislators are elected by their constituents every two years on a partisan basis with Republicans currently hold majority control over both chambers of the General Assembly.
Asheville residents have consistently voted for Democratic candidates at both local and state levels since 1990 when Al Gore won Asheville’s vote for President of the United States by a wide margin over George H W Bush despite losing statewide by several percentage points. This trend has continued over time as voters continue to support progressive candidates that share their values such as gun safety regulations increased access to healthcare services environmental protection measures investments in public schools economic equality initiatives racial justice reforms LGBTQ+ rights protections etc.
Overall, politics in Asheville, North Carolina reflect its progressive ideals with local politicians working hard on behalf of their constituents at both local and state levels. Residents are passionate about protecting their rights while also pushing forward initiatives that will benefit everyone living in this beautiful mountain city!