The Triangle area is anchored by one of the nation's largest research parks and three nationally renowned research universities. Industry giants in pharmaceuticals, computer software, telecommunications, and biotechnology call the Triangle home. Research Triangle Park (RTP) is the premier address for relocating and expanding companies that want access to technology-transfer opportunities made possible by the Park's close ties to Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University. RTP is the largest planned research park in the United States, consisting of over 45,000 employees on 7,000 acres. Manufacturing accounts for 12 percent of the industry base, employing approximately 80,000 people. Information technology has played a major role in the Triangle's development and success since the early 1960s. Two of the nation's top teaching and research hospitals are also located here.

The Triangle is just a couple hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west and the Outer Banks and Atlantic Coast to the east. The climate is pleasant year round. Fresh water lakes and rivers, state parks and trails for walking, biking and hiking encourage an active life style in the Triangle. There is also plenty to see and do: theater productions, art museums and great collegiate sporting events keep everyone busy. Our well-publicized quality of life plus thriving business opportunities attract people to our community from all over the world. Our area is now rich with cultural diversity and yet we retain and cherish the beauty, charm and gracious hospitality of our southern heritage.

KEY EMPLOYERS: State of North Carolina; International Business Machines (IBM); Wake County Public School System; North Carolina State University; GlaxoSmithKline, Inc.; WakeMed; Nortel, Inc.; Rex Healthcare; SAS Institute, Inc.; Progress Energy; Wake County; Hansen Aggregates; City of Raleigh; Cisco Systems; Waste Industries; WorldCom; Dorothea Dix Hospital; Research Triangle Institute; Verizon; First Citizens Bank & Trust Company; Longistics; Wachovia Corporation; Food Lion Stores; Kroger Stores; Invensys/Secure Power; United Parcel Service; The Capital Area YMCA, Inc.; U.S. EPA Environmental Research Center; Harris Teeter Stores; American Airlines Reservation Center; Ericsson, Inc.; Keebler, Inc.; The News & Observer Publishing Company; TriArc Food Systems/Bojangle's Restaurants; Wal-Mart; Freight Handlers; KMart Stores; WinnDixie Stores; Golden Corral Corporation; Nationwide Insurance Company; Wake Technical Community College

· EDUCATION: Ten top-quality colleges and universities are in the Triangle region.

· HEALTHCARE: The Triangle offers a fine array of well-respected facilities, including two of the top medical teaching and research hospitals.

· ARTS: North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Museum of Art, North Carolina Museum of History, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Walnut Creek Amphitheater, North Carolina Theater, Raleigh Little Theatre and Rose Garden, Theatre in the Park, Raleigh Ensemble Players, Raleigh Oratorio Society, National Opera Company, Moore Square Arts District, Raleigh Civic Ballet Company, Raleigh Dance Theatre, Easy Moving Dance Company and The Dance Project, The Carolina Ballet, American Dance Festival, Royall Center for the Arts, Duke University Museum of Art, North Carolina Central University Art Museum, Carolina Theatre of Durham, Museum of Life and Sciences, Carolina PlayMakers Repertory Company, Ackland Art Museum, Morehead Planetarium, Chapel Hill Museum, Kenan Football Center Hall of Honor, Artspace

· RECREATION: Carolina Hurricanes Hockey, The NIKE Golf Tour, Carolina Mudcats, Atlantic Coast Conference college sports, Durham Bulls, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking

· CONTACT: Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce at (919) 664-7000.