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Overview of Wilmington and Surrounding Area (from The Insiders' Guide^® to North Carolina's Southern Coast and Wilmington)

Population of Wilmington: Wilmington is the eighth-largest city in North Carolina. Census 2000 figures list the population at 75,838; with recent annexations, the current population is estimated at 90,644.

Incorporation: Wilmington was incorporated in 1739/40 but had been established as early as 1733. The first name given to the town was New Carthage, followed by New Liverpool, New Town or Newton, finally settling on Wilmington. Wilmington was named for Spencer Compton (1673-1743), Earl of Wilmington, who was the patron of Governor Gabriel Johnston during whose administration the town was chartered.

Seal (click on seal for larger view): The seal of the city shall be of circular shape and is described as follows: In the center is a hive located on a stand, built at the water's edge, about and around which bees are at work; partly encircling this hive is a vegetation; immediately below the platform is the date 1866; above the hive the word "Preserve"; encircling the border are the words, "City of Wilmington," "State of north Carolina." (The date of 1866 reflects the new charter the city received after the Civil War. Later the date of 1866 was replaced with 1739 to reflect the city's past.)

Flag: The flag has yellow lettering on a background of blue and contains the city seal in the center.

Flower: Azalea

Longitude & Latitude: 34.13' N 77.56' W

New Hanover County: New Hanover was formed in 1729 from Craven. It was named in honor of the royal family of England, members of the House of Hanover (the ruling family of Britain at that time). It is in the southeastern section of the State and is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the Cape Fear River, and Brunswick and Pender counties. The present land area is l98.35 square miles and the population in 2003 was 171,300. New Town or Newton was its first county seat. It was changed to Wilmington in 1739. In the 1990s, New Hanover County was one of the fastest growing counties in the United States; its population grew 33.3 percent.

Map of Surrounding Area:

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