• Charlotte is the 2nd largest financial center in the United States with some of the nation’s largest banks, such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo.
• 365 of Fortune’s top 500 companies take advantage of the city’s pro-business environment.
• There are more than 850 foreign-owned companies in Charlotte representing 42 countries.
• The region is home to 37 institutions of higher learning with 50 campuses providing academic expertise and training to a growing workforce.
• Travelers can take 700 daily flights with nonstop service to 150 destinations, of which 31 are international.
• There are over 300 International Organizations currently active in the region, hosting over 90 International Festivals annually.
• Charlotte is the site for the NASCAR Hall of Fame due to its rich racing heritage.
• Home teams from the NFL, NBA, and AAA Baseball have a large fan base here. Soccer, PGA, and Steeple Chase events are also gaining popularity as the international community grows.
• A philanthropic attitude is ingrained in our community, which is 1st in per capita in giving to the Arts and Sciences and 2nd only to New York in total dollars raised.
• There are many cultural attractions in Charlotte including the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture, the  North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Charlotte Symphony, Opera Carolina and the North Carolina Dance Theater.

    International Growth

• The Charlotte Region has experienced extraordinary international growth.  Check out these visuals to see the impact!

   











    


    Geography and Demographics

• Size of the City of Charlotte: 771 sq km (297.7 sq mi)
• Size of Mecklenburg County: 1,414 sq km (546 sq mi)
• Height of Bank of America Tower (the tallest building in Charlotte): 265 m  (871ft.)

      Foreign Trade and Transportation 

• 565 foreign-owned firms are located in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.  These firms provide over 24,800 jobs.
• Another 176 foreign-firms operate in the Metro Region (13 counties) surrounding Mecklenburg County.  These firms employ over 19,000 people and represent 20 different countries.
• A Foreign Trade Zone was established in Charlotte in September 1980.
• An inland port was opened in 1984.
• The Charlotte region links to 23 states with two major rail systems.
• Of the 1,274-manufacturing firms in Mecklenburg County, over 55% are involved with exporting or importing goods.
• Charlotte-headquartered banks operate in 43 countries.
• In June 2010 Charlotte/Douglas International Airport was awarded the prestigious Eagle Award in the "Best Airport" category from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).  
• International flights began out of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport in 1987.  US Airways offers non-stop service to London, Frankfurt, Toronto, Montréal, Ottawa, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Rome and a large number of Caribbean destinations

      Education

• Over 12,000 students who speak 160 different languages and represent 160 different countries attend Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
• International students study at UNC-Charlotte from over 50 different countries.  101 students from 28 countries participate in the English Language Training Institute.
• CPCC has approximately 6,480 international students enrolled from 160 countries.
• Eight international schools assist students in maintaining language skills and cultural identity while in Charlotte.  These include The Japanese Language School, The German School, The Chinese School, The Korean School, The French School, The Russian School, The Swedish School, The Islamic School and The Vietnamese School.
• The Charlotte Mecklenburg School System has strengthened the city's international character by establishing five language immersion schools.  Collinswood Dual-Language Spanish Academy (K-5) and Oaklawn Language Academy (K-7) enhance foreign language acquisition for English speaking students and maintain language skills of native Spanish students.  The E.E. Waddell Academy of International Languages (K-8), South Mecklenburg Academy of International Languages (9-12) and West Mecklenburg Academy of International Languages (9-12) instruct all courses in German, Spanish, French or Japanese.

      International Organizations 

• Charlotte is home for the Honorary Consuls of Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. 
• The Charlotte International Cabinet is the Charlotte region's leading resource for promoting international business and international communities. The Cabinet also manages Charlotte's Sister City Relationships.www.charlotteinternational.org

• The World Affairs Council of Charlotte offers citizens personal contact with key figures and critical trends in foreign policy, international business and global culture.  www.charlotteworld.org 
• The North Carolina World Trade Association-Charlotte Chapter serves as a medium for the interchange of information for world trade, promotes an interchange of information, experience and opinions relating to world trade and promotes through all available means more trade for the greater Charlotte region.  www.cwta.org 
• International House provides information and referral services, English language tutoring, English and foreign language conversation hours, support groups, educational programs for adults and children and is an advocacy group for Internationals.  www.ihclt.org  

Charlotte International Cabinet • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center • 600 East Fourth Street • Charlotte, NC 28202 • Tel: 704.336.2174 • Fax: 704.632.8349 • Email: cic@charlottenc.gov