Asheville, city (1990 pop. 61,607), Buncombe co., W N.C., 105 mi/169 km WNW of Charlotte on the Fr. Broad and the Swannanoa rivers, and on a plateau in the Blue Ridge Mts. Located near Great Smoky Mts. Natl. Park (to W) and sections of Pisgah Natl. Forest (NE and SW), Asheville is in the center of popular mt. area; 35°34'N 82°32'W. Tourism is a major business. The city is also a financial, distribution, transportation, and retail center for W N.C. Tobacco is processed and marketed; other mfg. includes textiles, electronic equip., paper, food, auto parts, and glass prods. Asheville’s many points of interest include the Biltomore Estate, owned by Vanderbilts, to S, Colburn Mineral Mus.; and numerous recreational and scenic attractions. The writer Thomas Wolfe was born and lived here; his home is a public memorial. The Univ. of N.C. at Asheville is here, and the Natl. Climatic Data Center. Zebulon Vance Birthplace State Historical Site to NE. Asheville Buncombe Tech. Community Col. Randolph Community Col. Blue Ridge (Natl.) Parkway passes to E and SE; Municipal Airport to S. Inc. 1797.
Capital city or county seat is shown by the symbol
Buncombe co., W N.C., 105 mi/169 km WNW of Charlotte on the Fr. Broad and the Swannanoa rivers, and on a plateau in the Blue Ridge Mts. Located near Great Smoky Mts. Natl. Park (to W) and sections of Pisgah Natl. Forest (NE and SW), Asheville is in the center of popular mt. area; 35°34'N 82°32'W. Tourism is a major business. The city is also a financial, distribution, transportation, and retail center for W N.C. Tobacco is processed and marketed; other mfg. includes textiles, electronic equip., paper, food, auto parts, and glass prods. Asheville’s many points of interest include the Biltomore Estate, owned by Vanderbilts, to S, Colburn Mineral Mus.; and numerous recreational and scenic attractions. The writer Thomas Wolfe was born and lived here; his home is a public memorial. The Univ. of N.C. at Asheville is here, and the Natl. Climatic Data Center. Zebulon Vance Birthplace State Historical Site to NE. Asheville Buncombe Tech. Community Col. Randolph Community Col. Blue Ridge (Natl.) Parkway passes to E and SE; Municipal Airport to S. Inc. 1797.
