A List of North Carolina's Natural Resources

• North Carolina is full of natural resources that bring jobs for the people who live there and attract tourists from around the nation. This is due to North Carolina's diversity of land types. It has mountain regions, coastal areas and a central area called the Piedmont that give the state a variety of resources.

Timber

• North Carolina has more than 180 species of trees in its forests. Timber is one of North Carolina's largest resources with over half the state in forested acres. This gives the state both economic and aesthetic value. The estimated worth of North Carolina's timber is believed to be $19 billion. The forests also provide wildlife habitats and recreational parks for tourists.

Minerals

• Clay, crushed stone, feldspar, mica, lithium and gemstones are all major natural resources of North Carolina. Clay used in brick manufacture is one of the most abundant resources. North Carolina's diverse land types give it numerous mining resources to export. In addition, precious gemstones such as emeralds and rubies can be found in certain mountainous regions of the state, bringing in tourists and rock collectors.

Agriculture

• The diverse climate of North Carolina makes it ideal for agriculture. The abundance of soil types means there can be great diversity in crop production. Just some of the crops grown in North Carolina include corn, cotton, tobacco and Christmas trees. Farmers raise pigs and cattle as the main animal exports in North Carolina. Agriculture is the state's biggest industry, employing 17 percent of the workforce.