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Nantahala National Forest
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Nantahala National Forest

park, North Carolina, United States
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Quick Summary

The Nantahala National Forest is located in the southwestern part of North Carolina, United States, within the Appalachian Mountains region. This forest is home to the Nantahala River, which flows for 40 miles through the area, carving a scenic gorge known for its steep sides and its name, meaning "place where only the noonday sun can shine" in Cherokee. The forest is characterized by its diverse plant life, including extensive deciduous forests, and is part of a larger ecosystem that once covered the entire Appalachian system. The Nantahala National Forest is a significant natural area within North Carolina's varied landscape, which includes mountains, the Piedmont, and the Coastal Plain.123

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. Nantahala River
  2. North Carolina - Relief
  3. Appalachian Mountains - Plant and animal life

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