document_title: Charlotte, North Carolina

question_text: how many miles is charlotte nc from the coast

question_tokens: how many miles is charlotte nc from the coast

text: Charlotte, North Carolina

text: History[edit]

text: The Catawba Native Americans were the first to settle Mecklenburg County (in the Charlotte area) and were first recorded in European records around 1567. By 1759 half the Catawba tribe had been killed by smallpox. At the time of their largest population, Catawba people numbered 10,000, but by 1826 that number dropped to 110.[13] The City of Charlotte as we know it, had it origins with the heavy influx of Scotch-Irish / Scots-Irish Presbyterians, or Ulster-Scot settlers, who dominated the culture of the Southern Piedmont Region and is the principle founding European population. The Germans settled in much smaller numbers but contributed greatly to the early foundations of the region. The Flag of Charlotte is the Saint Andrews Flag of Scotland or Saltire with a City Crest.

text: Mecklenburg County was initially part of Bath County (1696 to 1729) of New Hanover Precinct, which became New Hanover County in 1729. The western portion of New Hanover split into Bladen County in 1734, its western portion splitting into Anson County in 1750. Mecklenburg County formed from Anson County in 1762. Further apportionment was made in 1792, with Cabarrus County formed from Mecklenburg, and in 1842, with Union County formed from Mecklenburg's southeastern portion and from a western portion of Anson County. These areas were all part of one of the original six judicial/military districts of North Carolina known as the Salisbury District.[14]

text: The area that is now Charlotte was settled by people of European descent around 1755, when Thomas Spratt and his family settled near what is now the Elizabeth neighborhood. Thomas Polk (granduncle of U.S. President James K. Polk), who later married Thomas Spratt's daughter, built his house by the intersection of two Native American trading paths between the Yadkin and Catawba rivers.[15] One path ran north–south and was part of the Great Wagon Road; the second path ran east–west along what is now Trade Street.

text: Nicknamed the Queen City,[16] like its county a few years earlier, Charlotte was named in honor of German princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who had become the Queen Consort of Great Britain and Ireland in 1761, just seven years before the town's incorporation. A second nickname derives from the American Revolutionary War, when British commander General Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis occupied the city but was driven out by hostile residents, prompting him to write that Charlotte was "a hornet's nest of rebellion", leading to the nickname The Hornet's Nest.

text: Within decades of Polk's settling, the area grew to become "Charlotte Town", incorporating in 1768.[17] The crossroads, perched atop the Piedmont landscape, became the heart of Uptown Charlotte. In 1770, surveyors marked the streets in a grid pattern for future development. The east–west trading path became Trade Street, and the Great Wagon Road became Tryon Street, in honor of William Tryon, a royal governor of colonial North Carolina.[18] The intersection of Trade and Tryon—commonly known today as "Trade & Tryon," or simply "The Square"[15]—is more properly called "Independence Square".[19]

text: While surveying the boundary between the Carolinas in 1772, William Moultrie stopped in Charlotte Town, whose five or six houses were "very ordinary built of logs".[20]

text: Local leaders came together in 1775 and signed the Mecklenburg Resolves, more popularly known as the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. While not a true declaration of independence from British rule, it is among the first such declarations that eventually led to the American Revolution. May 20, the traditional date of the signing of the declaration, is celebrated annually in Charlotte as "MecDec", with musket and cannon fire by reenactors in Independence Square. North Carolina's state flag and state seal also bear the date.

text: After the American Revolution[edit]

text: Charlotte is traditionally considered the home of Southern Presbyterianism, but in the 19th century, numerous churches, including Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic formed, eventually giving Charlotte the nickname, "The City of Churches".[21]

text: In 1799, in nearby Cabarrus County, 12-year-old Conrad Reed found a 17-pound rock, which his family used as a doorstop. Three years later, a jeweler determined it was nearly solid gold, paying the family a paltry $3.50.[22] The first documented gold find in the United States of any consequence set off the nation's first gold rush. Many veins of gold were found in the area throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, leading to the 1837 founding of the Charlotte Mint. North Carolina was the chief producer of gold in the United States until the Sierra Nevada find in 1848,[23] although the volume mined in the Charlotte area was dwarfed by subsequent rushes.

text: Some groups still pan for gold occasionally in local streams and creeks. The Reed Gold Mine operated until 1912. The Charlotte Mint was active until 1861, when Confederate forces seized it at the outbreak of the Civil War. The mint was not reopened at the war's end, but the building, albeit in a different location, now houses the Mint Museum of Art.

text: The city's first boom came after the Civil War, as a cotton processing center and a railroad hub. Charlotte's city population at the 1880 Census grew to 7,084.[24]

text: World War I to present[edit]

text: Population grew again during World War I, when the U.S. government established Camp Greene north of present-day Wilkinson Boulevard. Many soldiers and suppliers stayed after the war, launching an urban ascent that eventually overtook older city rivals along the Piedmont Crescent.

text: The city's modern-day banking industry achieved prominence in the 1970s and 1980s, largely under the leadership of financier Hugh McColl. McColl transformed North Carolina National Bank (NCNB) into a formidable national player that through aggressive acquisitions became known as NationsBank, eventually merging with BankAmerica to become Bank of America. First Union, later Wachovia in 2001, experienced similar growth before it was acquired by San Francisco-based Wells Fargo in 2008. Measured by control of assets, Charlotte is the second largest banking headquarters in the United States, after New York City.[25]

text: On September 22, 1989, the city took a direct hit from Hurricane Hugo. With sustained winds of 69 mph (111 km/h) and gusts of 87 mph (140 km/h) in some locations,[26] Hugo caused massive property damage, destroyed 80,000 trees, and knocked out electrical power to most of the population. Residents were without power for weeks, schools were closed for a week or more, and the cleanup took months. The city was caught unprepared; Charlotte is 200 miles (320 km) inland, and residents from coastal areas in both Carolinas often wait out hurricanes in Charlotte.

text: In December 2002, Charlotte and much of central North Carolina were hit by an ice storm that resulted in more than 1.3 million people losing power.[27] During an abnormally cold December, many were without power for weeks. Many of the city's Bradford pear trees split apart under the weight of the ice.

text: In August 2015 and in September 2016, the city experienced several days of protests related to the police shootings of Jonathan Ferrell and Keith Scott.[28][29]

text: Geography[edit]

text: According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 297.68 square miles (771.0 km2), of which 297.08 square miles (769.4 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) is water. Charlotte lies at an elevation of 748 feet (228 m), as measured at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. Charlotte constitutes most of Mecklenburg County in the Carolina Piedmont. Charlotte center city sits atop a long rise between two creeks, Sugar Creek and Irwin Creek, and was built on the gunnies of the St. Catherine's and Rudisill gold mines.

text: Though the Catawba River and its lakes lie several miles west, there are no significant bodies of water or other geological features near the city center. Consequently, development has neither been constrained nor helped by waterways or ports that have contributed to many cities of similar size. The lack of these obstructions has contributed to Charlotte's growth as a highway, rail, and air transportation hub.

text: Cityscape[edit]

text: Charlotte has 199 neighborhoods radiating in all directions from Uptown.[30] Biddleville, the primary historic center of Charlotte's African-American community, is west of Uptown, starting at the Johnson C. Smith University campus and extending to the airport.[31] East of The Plaza and north of Central Avenue, Plaza-Midwood is known for its international population, including Eastern Europeans, Greeks, Middle-Easterners, and Hispanics.[32] North Tryon and the Sugar Creek area include several Asian-American communities. NoDa (North Davidson), north of Uptown, is an emerging center for arts and entertainment.[33] Myers Park, Dilworth, and Eastover are home to some of Charlotte's oldest and largest houses, on tree-lined boulevards, with Freedom Park, arguably the city's favorite, nearby.

text: Park Road and the SouthPark area have an extensive array of shopping and dining offerings, with SouthPark essentially serving as a second urban core. Blossoming neighborhoods like Sedgefield, Dilworth and South End are great examples of that. Far South Boulevard is home to a large Hispanic community. Many students, researchers, and affiliated professionals live near UNC Charlotte in the northeast area known as University City.

text: The large area known as Southeast Charlotte is home to many golf communities, luxury developments, mega-churches, the Jewish community center, and private schools. As undeveloped land within Mecklenburg has become scarce, many of these communities have expanded into Weddington and Waxhaw in Union County.[34] Ballantyne, far south Charlotte, and nearly every area on the I‑485 perimeter, have seen extensive growth over the past ten years.

text: Since the 1980s in particular, Uptown Charlotte has undergone massive construction of buildings, housing Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Hearst Corporation, Duke Energy, several hotels, and multiple condominium developments.[35]

text: Green space[edit]

text: The 120‑acre Park Road Park is a prominent landmark of the SouthPark neighborhood.[36] Park Road Park features 8 basketball courts, 2 horseshoe pits, 6 baseball fields, 5 Picnic Shelters, volleyball courts, playgrounds, trails, tennis courts, and an eleven-acre lake.[37] The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Parks & Recreation Department operates 36 tennis facilities and the 12 lighted tennis courts at the park.[38]

text: The urban section of Little Sugar Creek Greenway was completed in 2012. Inspired in part by the San Antonio River Walk, and integral to Charlotte's extensive urban park system, it is "a huge milestone" according to Gwen Cook, greenway planner for Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation.[39]

text: Climate and environment[edit]

text: Charlotte, like much of the Piedmont region of the southeastern United States, has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa), with four distinct seasons; the city itself is part of USDA hardiness zone 8a, transitioning to 7b in the suburbs in all directions except the south.[40] Winters are short and generally cool, with a January daily average of 40.1 °F (4.5 °C). On average, there are 59 nights per year that drop to or below freezing, and only 1.5 days that fail to rise above freezing.[41] April is the driest month, with an average of 3.04 inches (7.7 cm) of precipitation. Summers are hot and humid, with a daily average in July of 78.5 °F (25.8 °C). There is an average 44 days per year with highs at or above 90 °F (32 °C).[41] Official record temperatures range from 104 °F (40 °C) recorded six times, most recently on July 1, 2012, down to −5 °F (−21 °C) recorded on January 21, 1985, the most recent of three occasions. The record cold daily maximum is 14 °F (−10 °C) on February 12 and 13, 1899, and the record warm daily minimum is 82 °F (28 °C) on August 13, 1881.[41] The average window for freezing temperatures is November 5 through March 30, allowing a growing season of 220 days.[41]

text: Charlotte is directly in the path of subtropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico as it heads up the eastern seaboard, thus the city receives ample precipitation throughout the year but also many clear, sunny days; precipitation is generally less frequent in autumn than in spring.[41] On average, Charlotte receives 41.6 inches (1,060 mm) of precipitation annually, which is somewhat evenly distributed throughout the year, although summer is slightly wetter; annual precipitation has historically ranged from 26.23 in (666 mm) in 2001 to 68.44 in (1,738 mm) in 1884.[41] In addition, there is an average of 4.3 inches (10.9 cm) of snow, mainly in January and February and rarely December or March, with more frequent ice storms and sleet mixed in with rain; seasonal snowfall has historically ranged from trace amounts as recently as 2011–12 to 22.6 in (57 cm) in 1959–60.[41] These storms can have a major impact on the area, as they often pull tree limbs down onto power lines and make driving hazardous.

text:
[show]Climate data for Charlotte, North Carolina (Charlotte-Douglas Int'l), 1981–2010 normals,[a] extremes 1878–present[b]

Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year

Record high °F (°C)
79
(26)
82
(28)
91
(33)
96
(36)
98
(37)
104
(40)
104
(40)
104
(40)
104
(40)
98
(37)
85
(29)
80
(27)
104
(40)

Mean maximum °F (°C)
69.7
(20.9)
72.8
(22.7)
81.1
(27.3)
86.3
(30.2)
90.0
(32.2)
94.4
(34.7)
96.9
(36.1)
96.0
(35.6)
91.1
(32.8)
84.9
(29.4)
78.0
(25.6)
70.4
(21.3)
98.0
(36.7)

Average high °F (°C)
50.7
(10.4)
55.0
(12.8)
63.1
(17.3)
71.9
(22.2)
78.9
(26.1)
86.0
(30)
89.0
(31.7)
87.5
(30.8)
81.3
(27.4)
71.8
(22.1)
62.4
(16.9)
52.9
(11.6)
70.9
(21.6)

Average low °F (°C)
29.6
(−1.3)
32.7
(0.4)
39.3
(4.1)
46.9
(8.3)
55.8
(13.2)
64.5
(18.1)
68.1
(20.1)
67.2
(19.6)
60.4
(15.8)
48.8
(9.3)
39.2
(4)
31.9
(−0.1)
48.7
(9.3)

Mean minimum °F (°C)
14.2
(−9.9)
18.7
(−7.4)
24.2
(−4.3)
32.9
(0.5)
43.3
(6.3)
55.9
(13.3)
62.0
(16.7)
60.6
(15.9)
48.7
(9.3)
34.6
(1.4)
25.4
(−3.7)
18.0
(−7.8)
11.3
(−11.5)

Record low °F (°C)
−5
(−21)
−5
(−21)
4
(−16)
21
(−6)
32
(0)
45
(7)
53
(12)
50
(10)
38
(3)
24
(−4)
11
(−12)
−5
(−21)
−5
(−21)

Average precipitation inches (mm)
3.41
(86.6)
3.32
(84.3)
4.01
(101.9)
3.04
(77.2)
3.18
(80.8)
3.74
(95)
3.68
(93.5)
4.22
(107.2)
3.24
(82.3)
3.40
(86.4)
3.14
(79.8)
3.25
(82.6)
41.63
(1,057.4)

Average snowfall inches (cm)
2.1
(5.3)
1.2
(3)
0.6
(1.5)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0.1
(0.3)
0.3
(0.8)
4.3
(10.9)

Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)
9.7
9.4
9.6
8.8
9.6
10.2
10.8
9.8
7.1
6.9
8.4
9.6
109.9

Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)
1.0
0.5
0.2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.2
1.9

Average relative humidity (%)
65.7
61.8
61.5
59.3
66.9
69.6
72.2
73.5
73.3
69.9
67.6
67.3
67.4

Mean monthly sunshine hours
173.3
180.3
234.8
269.6
292.1
289.2
290.0
272.9
241.4
230.5
178.4
168.5
2,821

Percent possible sunshine
55
59
63
69
67
66
66
65
65
66
58
55
63

Source: NOAA (relative humidity and sun 1961–1990)[41][42][43]

text: Demographics[edit]

text:
Historical population

Census
Pop.

%±

1850
1,065

—

1860
2,265

112.7%

1870
4,473

97.5%

1880
7,094

58.6%

1890
11,557

62.9%

1900
18,091

56.5%

1910
34,014

88.0%

1920
46,338

36.2%

1930
82,675

78.4%

1940
100,899

22.0%

1950
134,042

32.8%

1960
201,564

50.4%

1970
241,420

19.8%

1980
315,474

30.7%

1990
395,934

25.5%

2000
540,828

36.6%

2010
731,424

35.2%

Est. 2016
842,051
[1]
15.1%

[44]

text: The most recent U.S. Census estimate (2014, released in May 2015) showed 809,958 residents living within Charlotte's city limits and 1,012,539 in Mecklenburg County. The Combined Statistical Area, or trade area, of Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SC had a population of 2,537,990.[2] Figures from the more comprehensive 2010 census show Charlotte's population density to be 2,457 per square mile (948.7/km²). There are 319,918 housing units at an average density of 1,074.6 per square mile (414.9/km²).[45]

text: According to the 2010 United States Census, the racial composition of Charlotte was:

text:
White or Caucasian: 45.1%
Black or African American: 35.0%
Hispanic: 13.1%
Asian: 5.0%
Native American: 0.5%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 0.1%
some other race: 6.8%
two or more races: 2.7%

text: In 1970, the Census Bureau reported Charlotte's population as 30.2% Black and 68.9% White.[46]

text: The median income for a household in the city is $48,670, and the median income for a family is $59,452. Males have a median income of $38,767 versus $29,218 for females. The per capita income for the city is $29,825. The percentage of the population living at or below the poverty line is 10.6%, with 7.8% of families living at or below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.8% of those under the age of 18 and 9.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

text: Religion[edit]

text: Charlotte has historically been a Protestant city. It is the birthplace of Billy Graham, and is also the historic seat of Southern Presbyterianism, but the changing demographics of the city's increasing population have brought scores of new denominations and faiths. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Wycliffe Bible Translators' JAARS Center, and SIM Missions Organization make their homes in the Charlotte general area. In total, Charlotte proper has 700 places of worship.

text: The Presbyterian Church (USA) is now the fourth largest denomination in Charlotte, with 68,000 members and 206 congregations. The second largest Presbyterian denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America has 43 churches and 12,000 members, followed by the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church with 63 churches and 9,500 members.[47]

text: The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America is headquartered in Charlotte, and both Reformed Theological Seminary and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary have campuses there; more recently, the Religious Studies academic departments of Charlotte's local colleges and universities have also grown considerably.

text: The Advent Christian Church is headquartered in Charlotte.

text: The Western North Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church is headquartered in Charlotte.

text: The largest Protestant church in Charlotte, by attendance, is Elevation Church, a Southern Baptist church founded by lead pastor Steven Furtick. The church has over 15,000 congregants at nine Charlotte locations.[48]

text: Charlotte's Cathedral of Saint Patrick is the seat of the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte. The Traditional Latin Mass is offered by the Society of St. Pius X at St. Anthony Catholic Church in nearby Mount Holly. The Traditional Latin Mass is also offered at St. Ann, Charlotte, a church under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Charlotte. St. Matthew Parish, located in the Ballantyne neighborhood, is the largest Catholic parish with over 30,000 parishioners.[49]

text: The Greek Orthodox Church's cathedral for North Carolina, Holy Trinity Cathedral, is located in Charlotte.

text: Charlotte has the largest Jewish population in the Carolinas. Shalom Park in south Charlotte is the hub of the Jewish community, featuring two synagogues, Temple Israel and Temple Beth El, as well as a community center, the Charlotte Jewish Day School for grades K–5, and the headquarters of the Charlotte Jewish News.[50]

text: Most African Americans in Charlotte are Baptists affiliated with the National Baptist Convention, the largest predominantly African American denomination in the United States. African American Methodists are largely affiliated with either the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, headquartered in Charlotte, or the African Methodist Episcopal Church. African American Pentecostals are represented by several organizations such as the United House of Prayer for All People, Church of God in Christ, and the United Holy Church of America.

text: As of 2013[update], 51.91% of people in Charlotte were religiously affiliated, making it the second most religious city in North Carolina after Winston-Salem. The largest religion in Charlotte is Christianity, with Baptists (13.26%) having the largest number of adherents. The second largest Christian group is Roman Catholic (9.43%), followed by Methodist (8.02%) and Presbyterian (5.25%). Other Christian affiliates include Pentecostal (2.50%), Lutheran (1.30%), Episcopalian (1.20%), Latter-Day Saints (0.84%), and other Christian (8.87%) churches, including Eastern Orthodox and non-denominational. Judaism (0.57%) is the second largest religion after Christianity, followed by Eastern religions (0.34%) and Islam (0.32%).[51]

text: Economy[edit]

text: Charlotte has become a major U.S. financial center with the third most banking assets after New York City and San Francisco.[11][52] The nation's second largest financial institution by total assets, Bank of America, calls the city home. The city was also the former corporate home of Wachovia until its 2008 acquisition by Wells Fargo; Wells Fargo integrated legacy Wachovia, with the two banks fully merged at the end of 2011, which included transitioning all of the Wachovia branches in the Carolinas to Wells Fargo branches by October 2011. Since then, Charlotte has become the regional headquarters for East Coast operations of Wells Fargo, which is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Charlotte also serves as the headquarters for Wells Fargo's capital markets activities including sales and trading, equity research, and investment banking. Bank of America's headquarters, along with other regional banking and financial services companies, are located primarily in the Uptown central business district. Microsoft's East Coast headquarters are located in Charlotte.[53]

text: Charlotte has six Fortune 500 companies in its metropolitan area. Listed in order of their rank, they are: Bank of America, Lowe's in suburban Mooresville, Duke Energy, Nucor (steel producer), Sonic Automotive and Sealed Air Corp. The Charlotte area includes a diverse range of businesses, including foodstuffs such as Chiquita Brands International, Harris Teeter, Snyder's-Lance, Carolina Foods Inc, Bojangles', Food Lion, Compass Group USA, and Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (Charlotte being the nation's second largest Coca-Cola bottler); motor and transportation companies such as RSC Brands, Continental Tire the Americas, LLC., Meineke Car Care Centers, Carlisle Companies (along with several other services), along with a wide array of other businesses.[54]

text: Charlotte is the major center in the U.S. motorsports industry, housing multiple offices of NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord. Approximately 75% of the NASCAR industry's race teams, employees and drivers are based nearby. The large presence of the racing technology industry and the newly built NHRA dragstrip, zMAX Dragway at Concord, are influencing other top professional drag racers to move their shops to Charlotte as well.

text: Located in the western part of Mecklenburg County is the U.S. National Whitewater Center, which consists of man-made rapids of varying degrees, is open to the public year-round.[55]

text: The Charlotte Region has a major base of energy-oriented organizations and has become known as "Charlotte USA – The New Energy Capital." In the region there are more than 240 companies directly tied to the energy sector, collectively employing more than 26,400. Since 2007 more than 4,000 energy sector jobs have been announced. Major energy players in Charlotte include AREVA, Babcock & Wilcox, Duke Energy, Electric Power Research Institute, Fluor, Metso Power, Piedmont Natural Gas, Siemens Energy, Shaw Group, Toshiba, URS Corp., and Westinghouse. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has a reputation in energy education and research, and its Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC) trains energy engineers and conducts research.

text: The area is an increasingly growing trucking and freight transportation hub for the East Coast. The Charlotte Center city has seen remarkable growth over the last decade. Numerous residential units continue to be built uptown, including over 20 skyscrapers under construction, recently completed, or in the planning stage. Many new restaurants, bars and clubs now operate in the Uptown area. Several projects are transforming the Midtown Charlotte/Elizabeth area.[56]

text: In 2013, Forbes named Charlotte among its list of Best Places for Business and Careers.[57] Charlotte was listed as the 20th largest city in the US, and the 60th fastest growing city in the US between 2000 and 2008.[58]

text: Top employers[edit]

text: According to Charlotte's 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[59] the top employers in the city are:

text:
#
Employer
# of Employees

1
Carolinas Healthcare System
35,000

2
Wells Fargo
22,000

3
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
18,143

4
Walmart
16,100

5
Bank of America
15,000

6
Lowe's
12,960

7
Novant Health
11,000

8
American Airlines
10,600

9
Harris Teeter
8,239

10
Duke Energy
7,800

text: Culture[edit]

text: Museums[edit]

text:
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
Billy Graham Library
Carolinas Aviation Museum
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fire Education Center and Museum
Charlotte Nature Museum in Freedom Park
Charlotte Trolley Museum in Historic South End
Discovery Place
Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
Historic Rosedale Plantation
Levine Museum of the New South
The Light Factory
McColl Center for Visual Art
Mint Museum
NASCAR Hall of Fame
Second Ward Alumni House Museum
Wells Fargo History Museum
Charlotte Museum of History

text: Performing arts[edit]

text:
Actor's Theatre of Charlotte
Amos' Southend Music Hall
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Charlotte Ballet
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
Charlotte Shakespeare
Children's Theatre of Charlotte
ImaginOn
North Carolina Music Factory
Opera Carolina
The Robot Johnson Show
Citizens of the Universe
Theatre Charlotte
Carolina Renaissance Festival

text: Festivals and special events[edit]

text: The Charlotte region is home to many annual festivals and special events. The Carolina Renaissance Festival operates on Saturdays and Sundays each October and November. Located near the intersection of Highway 73 and Poplar Tent Road, the Carolina Renaissance Festival is one of the largest renaissance themed events in the country. It features 11 stages of outdoor variety entertainment, a 22-acre village marketplace, an interactive circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament, and a feast, all rolled into one non-stop, day-long family adventure.

text: Taste of Charlotte is a 3 day festival featuring over 100 samples from area restaurants along with Live Music and Entertainment, Interactive Children’s Activities, Cooking Demos, Street Performances, Unique Shopping and a large variety of local, regional and national partners interacting with festival goers, providing information, coupons and free stuff! Admission to Taste of Charlotte is FREE. Purchase festival coins to use for restaurant samples, beverages and kid’s activities.Located on Tryon Street, Taste of Charlotte now spans 6 city blocks from Stonewall to 5th Street. Enjoy delicious food while strolling the festival experiencing four stages of entertainment, street performances and interactive tours. Taste of Charlotte truly is a fun, friendly atmosphere for all ages

text: Zoos and aquariums[edit]

text: Charlotte is "... the largest metropolitan area in the United States without a zoo."[60] The Charlotte Zoo initiative is a proposal to allocate 250 acres (101 ha) of natural North Carolina land to be dedicated to the zoological foundation, which was incorporated in 2008. On August 18, 2012, News Channel 14 says that the initiative is "... still a few years away" and the plot of land is "... just seven miles from the center of uptown." According to the news channel, "... the zoo will cost roughly $300 million, and will be completely privately-funded."[61] The Charlotte Observer references two other zoos, the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden and the North Carolina Zoological Park as two "great zoos" that are accessible from the Charlotte-Mecklenberg area, both roughly more than 70 miles away.[62]

text: Charlotte is also served by the Sea Life Charlotte-Concord Aquarium in the nearby city of Concord. The aquarium is 30,000 square feet in size, and is part of the Concord Mills mall. The aquarium opened on February 20, 2014.[63]

text: Sports[edit]

text: Charlotte is home to two major professional sports franchises: the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL) and the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Panthers have been located in Charlotte since the team's creation in 1995, and the current Hornets franchise has been located in Charlotte since its creation in 2004. The Panthers play their home games in Bank of America Stadium, while the Hornets play in the Spectrum Center. The original Hornets NBA franchise was established in 1988 as an expansion team, but it relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana in 2002 after animosity grew between the team's fans and principal owner George Shinn.[64] The NBA quickly granted Charlotte an expansion franchise following the departure of the Hornets, and the new franchise, the Charlotte Bobcats, began to play in 2004. The team retook the Hornets name when the New Orleans-based team renamed itself the New Orleans Pelicans in 2013.[65] The name change became official on May 20, 2014. On the same day, the franchise reclaimed the history and records of the original 1988–2002 Hornets.[66] Charlotte is represented in ice hockey and baseball at the 'AAA' professional level by the Charlotte Checkers and the Charlotte Knights, and in professional ultimate by the Charlotte Express of the American Ultimate Disc League.

text:
Club
Sport
Founded
League
Venue

Carolina Panthers
Football
1995
National Football League
Bank of America Stadium

Charlotte Hornets
Basketball
1988
National Basketball Association
Spectrum Center

Charlotte Hounds
Lacrosse
2011
Major League Lacrosse
American Legion Memorial Stadium

Charlotte Checkers
Ice hockey
1993
American Hockey League
Bojangles' Coliseum

Charlotte Knights
Baseball
1976
International League
BB&T Ballpark

Charlotte Independence
Soccer
2015
United Soccer League
Mecklenburg County Sportsplex

Charlotte Eagles
Soccer
1993
Premier Development League
Queens Sports Complex

Charlotte Lady Eagles
Soccer
1993
W-League
Queens Sports Complex

Charlotte Express
Ultimate
2015
American Ultimate Disc League
Dick Williams Stadium

text: Law, government and politics[edit]

text: Charlotte has a council-manager form of government. The mayor and city council are elected every two years, with no term limits. The mayor is ex officio chairman of the city council, and only votes in case of a tie. Unlike other mayors in council-manager systems, Charlotte's mayor has the power to veto ordinances passed by the council; vetoes can be overridden by a two-thirds majority of the council. The council appoints a city manager to serve as chief administrative officer.

text: Unlike some other cities and towns in North Carolina, elections are held on a partisan basis. The current mayor is Vi Lyles, a Democrat elected in 2017.[67]

text: Patrick Cannon, a Democrat, was sworn in as mayor on December 2, 2013.[68] On March 26, 2014, Cannon was arrested on public corruption charges. Later the same day, he resigned as mayor.[69] On April 7, the city council held a special election and selected State Senator Dan Clodfelter, also a Democrat, to fill out the balance of Cannon's term.[70] Former Mecklenburg County Commission chairwoman Jennifer Roberts defeated Clodfelter in the 2015 Democratic primary, and went on to win the general election, becoming the first Democratic woman to hold the post. She was ousted in the 2017 Democratic primary by Mayor Pro Tem Lyles, who went on to become the city's fourth mayor in four years.

text: Historically, voters have been friendly to moderates of both parties. However, in recent years, Charlotte has swung heavily to the Democrats. Republican strength is concentrated in the southeastern portion of the city, while Democratic strength is concentrated in the south-central, eastern, and northern areas.

text: The city council comprises 11 members (7 from districts and 4 at-large). Democrats control the council with a 9-to-2 advantage, winning all 4 of the at-large seats in the November 2013 municipal election. While the city council is responsible for passing ordinances, many policy decisions must be approved by the North Carolina General Assembly as well, since North Carolina municipalities do not have home rule. While municipal powers have been broadly construed since the 1960s, the General Assembly still retains considerable authority over local matters.

text: Charlotte is split between two congressional districts on the federal level. The southeastern portion is part of the 9th District, represented by Republican Robert Pittenger. Most of the city is in the 12th District, represented by Democrat Alma Adams.

text: Charlotte was selected in 2011 to host the 2012 Democratic National Convention, which was held at the Spectrum Center. It began September 4, 2012, and ended on September 6.[1]

text: City services[edit]

text: Emergency medical services[edit]

text: Emergency medical services for the city of Charlotte are provided by MEDIC, the Mecklenburg EMS agency. MEDIC responded to over 93,000 calls for help in 2008, and transported over 71,000 patients to the major hospitals in Charlotte.[71] The agency employs nearly 350 paramedics, EMTs, and EMDs. In addition to dispatching MEDIC's EMS calls, the agency also dispatches all county fire calls outside of the city of Charlotte.[72] At any given time, between 20 and 40 ambulances will be deployed to cover the county.

text: Hospitals[edit]

text:
Hospital name
Website

Carolinas Medical Center / Center for Mental Health
http://www.carolinashealthcare.org/cmc

Carolinas Medical Center-Mercy
http://www.carolinashealthcare.org/cmc-mercy

Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville
http://www.carolinashealthcare.org/cmc-pineville

Carolinas Rehabilitation
http://www.carolinashealthcare.org/carolinas-rehab

Carolinas Specialty Hospital
https://web.archive.org/web/20130531054839/https://cshnc.com/

Novant Health Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital
http://www.novanthealth.org/charlotte-orthopedic-hospital.aspx

Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center
http://www.novanthealth.org/presbyterian-medical-center.aspx

Renfrew Center
http://renfrewcenter.com/locations/non-residential/charlotte-nc

text: Fire department[edit]

text: The Charlotte Fire Department provides fire suppression, emergency medical services, public education, hazardous materials (HAZMAT) mitigation, technical rescues, and fire prevention and inspection with 1,164 personnel. Forty-two fire stations are strategically scattered throughout Charlotte to provide a reasonable response time to emergencies in the city limits.

text: Law enforcement and crime[edit]

text: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) is a combined jurisdiction agency. The CMPD has law enforcement jurisdiction in both the city of Charlotte and the few unincorporated areas left in Mecklenburg County. The other small towns maintain their own law enforcement agencies for their own jurisdictions. The department consists of approximately 1,700 sworn law enforcement officers, 550 civilian personnel, and more than 400 volunteers.[73] The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department divides the city into 13 geographic areas, which vary in size both geographically and by the number of officers assigned to each division. The total crime index for Charlotte is 589.2 crimes committed per 100,000 residents as of 2008[update] and has shown a steady decline since 2005.[74] The national average is 320.9 per 100,000 residents.[74] An average of 4,939 vehicles are stolen every year in Charlotte.[75]

text: According to the Congressional Quarterly Press; '2008 City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America,' Charlotte, North Carolina ranks as the 62nd most dangerous city larger than 75,000 inhabitants.[76] However, the entire Charlotte-Gastonia Metropolitan Statistical Area ranked as 27th most dangerous out of 338 metro areas.[77]

text: Education[edit]

text: School system[edit]

text: The city's public school system, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, is the 2nd largest in North Carolina and 17th largest in the nation.[78] In 2009, it won the NAEP Awards, the Nation's Report Card for urban school systems with top honors among 18 city systems for 4th grade math, 2nd place among 8th graders.[79][80] An estimated 144,000 students are taught in 164 separate elementary, middle, and high schools.[81] Elementary-Middle schools also include the independent Charlotte Preparatory School, with learning based on Montessori education principles.

text: Colleges and universities[edit]

text: Charlotte is home to a number of universities and colleges such as Central Piedmont Community College, Johnson C. Smith University, Johnson & Wales University, Queens University of Charlotte, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Several notable colleges are located in the metropolitan suburbs. Located in Davidson, North Carolina, Davidson College is ranked in the top ten nationally among liberal arts colleges, according to U.S. News & World Report. Additional colleges in the area include Belmont Abbey College in the suburb of Belmont, North Carolina, and Wingate University in the suburb of Wingate, North Carolina. Also nearby are Winthrop University, Clinton Junior College, and York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

text: UNC Charlotte is the city's largest university. It is located in University City, the northeastern portion of Charlotte, which is also home to University Research Park, a 3,200 acres (13 km2) research and corporate park. With more than 29,000 students, UNC Charlotte is the third largest university in the state system.

text: Central Piedmont Community College is the largest community college in the Carolinas, with more than 70,000 students each year and 6 campuses throughout the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region.[82] CPCC is part of the statewide North Carolina Community College System.

text: The Charlotte School of Law opened its doors in Charlotte in 2006 and was fully accredited by the American Bar Association in 2011. The law school offered the Juris Doctor degree but the Bar association rescinded the accreditation in 2017. Charlotte School of Law once was the largest law school in the Carolinas has ceased to operate.

text: Pfeiffer University has a satellite campus in Charlotte. Wake Forest University, with its main campus in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, also operates a satellite campus of its Babcock Graduate School of Management in the Uptown area.[83] The Connecticut School of Broadcasting, DeVry University, and ECPI University all have branches in Charlotte. The Universal Technical Institute has the NASCAR Technical Institute in nearby Mooresville, serving the Charlotte area. Montreat College (Charlotte) maintains a School of Professional and Adult Studies in the city.

text: The North Carolina Research Campus, a 350-acre biotechnology hub located northeast of Charlotte in the city of Kannapolis, is a public-private venture including eight universities, one community college, the David H. Murdock Research Institute (DHMRI), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and corporate entities that collaborate to advance the fields of human health, nutrition and agriculture. Partnering educational organizations include UNC Charlotte and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, from the Charlotte region, as well as Appalachian State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University and North Carolina State University.[84] The research campus is part of a larger effort by leaders in the Charlotte area to attract energy, health, and other knowledge-based industries that contribute to North Carolina's strength in biotechnology.

text: Libraries[edit]

text: The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library serves the Charlotte area with a large collection (more than 1.5 million) of books, CDs and DVDs at 15 locations in the city of Charlotte, with branches in the surrounding towns of Matthews, Mint Hill, Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson. All locations provide free access to Internet-enabled computers and WiFi, and a library card from one location is accepted at all 20 locations.

text: Although the library's roots go back to the Charlotte Literary and Library Association, founded on January 16, 1891,[85] the state-chartered Carnegie Library, which opened on the current North Tryon site of the Main Library, was the first non-subscription library opened to members of the public in the city of Charlotte. The philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated $25,000 dollars for a library building, on the condition that the city of Charlotte donate a site and $2,500 per year for books and salaries,[86] and that the state grant a charter for the library. All conditions were met, and the Charlotte Carnegie Library opened in an imposing classical building on July 2, 1903.

text: The 1903 state charter also required that a library be opened for the disenfranchised African-American population of Charlotte. This was completed in 1905 with the opening of the Brevard Street Library for Negroes, an independent library in Brooklyn, a historically black area of Charlotte, on the corner of Brevard and East Second Streets (now Martin Luther King Boulevard).[87] The Brevard Street Library was the first library for African Americans in the state of North Carolina,[87] and some sources say in the southeast.[88] The library was closed in 1961 when the Brooklyn neighborhood in Second Ward was redeveloped, but its role as a cultural center for African-Americans in Charlotte is continued by the Beatties Ford and West Boulevard branches of the library system, as well as by Charlotte's African-American Cultural Center.

text: Media[edit]

text: Television[edit]

text: According to Nielsen Media Research, Charlotte is the 22nd largest television market in the nation (as of the 2016-2017 season) and the largest in the state of North Carolina.[89] Major television stations located in Charlotte include CBS affiliate WBTV 3 (the oldest television station in the Carolinas), ABC affiliate WSOC-TV 9, NBC affiliate WCNC-TV 36, CW affiliate WCCB 18, and PBS member station WTVI 42. Two cable sports networks are also headquartered in Charlotte: the ESPN-controlled SEC Network and the regional Fox Sports Carolinas.

text: Other stations serving the Charlotte market include Fox owned-and-operated station WJZY 46 in Belmont, UNC-TV/PBS member station WUNG-TV 58 in Concord, independent station WAXN-TV 64 (a sister to WSOC-TV) in Kannapolis, and two stations in Rock Hill, South Carolina: MyNetworkTV owned-and-operated station WMYT-TV 55 (a sister to WJZY) and PBS member station WNSC-TV 30. Additionally, INSP is headquartered in nearby Indian Land, South Carolina.

text: Cable television customers are served by Spectrum, which offers a localized feed of Raleigh-based Spectrum News North Carolina.

text: Radio[edit]

text: Charlotte is the 24th largest radio market in the nation, according to Arbitron. While major groups like iHeartMedia, Entercom and Radio One have stations serving Charlotte, several smaller groups also own and operate stations in the area.

text: Newspaper[edit]

text: Charlotte has one major daily newspaper, The Charlotte Observer. It boasts the largest circulation in North[90] and South Carolina.

text: Infrastructure[edit]

text: Waste treatment[edit]

text: Charlotte has a municipal waste system consisting of trash pickup, water distribution, and waste treatment. There are five waste water treatment plants operated by Charlotte Water (previously Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department).[91] Charlotte has a biosolids program.[92] Some Chester residents spoke out against the program on February 26, 2013.[93] Charlotte's sludge is handled, transported, and spread on farm fields in Chester by a company called Synagro, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Carlyle Group[94] Charlotte's sludge is of the "CLASS B" variety, which means it still contains detectable levels of pathogens.[95][96]

text: Transportation[edit]

text: Mass transit[edit]

text: The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is the agency responsible for operating mass transit in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. CATS operates light rail transit, historical trolleys, express shuttles, and bus services serving Charlotte and its immediate suburbs. The LYNX light rail system comprises a 9.6‑mile line north–south line known as the Blue Line, which saw 2025 ridership projections (18,500) exceeded after its first year of service. Bus ridership continues to grow (66% since 1998).[97] The 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan looks to supplement established bus service with light rail and commuter rail lines as a part of the LYNX system.

text: In 2011, the city of Charlotte and CATS staff conducted public forums to present the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and gather public input from residents, property owners, and business owners located in northeast Charlotte, which is where the LYNX light rail is proposed to be extended from uptown Charlotte to UNC‑Charlotte campus.[98] Construction on this portion is expected to end in August 2017.[99]

text: Walkability[edit]

text: A 2011 study by Walk Score ranked Charlotte the 49th most walkable of the 50 largest cities in the United States.[100]

text: Roads and highways[edit]

text: Charlotte's central location between the population centers of the northeast and southeast has made it a transportation focal point and primary distribution center, with two major interstate highways, I-85 and I-77, intersecting near the city's center. The latter highway also connects to the population centers of the Rust Belt.

text: Charlotte's beltway, designated I-485 and simply called "485" by local residents, has been under construction for over 20 years, but funding problems have slowed its progress. The final segment was finished in mid-2015.[101] Upon completion, 485 will have a total circumference of approximately 67 miles (108 km). Within the city, the I-277 loop freeway encircles Charlotte's uptown (usually referred to by its two separate sections, the John Belk Freeway and the Brookshire Freeway) while Charlotte Route 4 links major roads in a loop between I-277 and I-485. Independence Freeway, which carries U.S. 74 and links downtown with the Matthews area, is undergoing an expansion and widening in the eastern part of the city.

text: Air[edit]

text: Charlotte Douglas International Airport is the sixth busiest airport in both the U.S. and the world overall as measured by traffic (aircraft movements).[102] It is served by many domestic and international airlines including Air Canada and Lufthansa. It is a major hub for American Airlines, having historically been a hub for its predecessors US Airways and Piedmont Airlines. Nonstop flights are available to many destinations across the United States, Canada, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, Mexico, and South America.

text: Intercity transportation[edit]

text: Charlotte is served daily by three Amtrak routes:

text:
The Crescent connects Charlotte with New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C.; Charlottesville, and Greensboro to the north, and Greenville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Meridian and New Orleans to the south.
The Carolinian connects Charlotte with New York; Philadelphia; Baltimore; Washington, D.C.; Richmond; Raleigh; Durham; and Greensboro.
The Piedmont connects Charlotte with Raleigh, Durham, and Greensboro.

text: Charlotte is also served by both Greyhound and low-cost curbside carrier Megabus.

text: The city is planning a new centralized multimodal train station called the Gateway Station. It is expected to house the future LYNX Purple Line, the new Greyhound bus station, and the Crescent line that passes through Uptown Charlotte.

text: Notable people[edit]

text: Sister cities[edit]

text: Sister Cities International has designated nine sister cities of Charlotte:[103]

text:
Country

City

County / District / Region / State
Date

Peru

Arequipa

Arequipa Region
1962

Germany

Krefeld

North Rhine-Westphalia
1985

China

Baoding

Hebei
1987

Russia

Voronezh

Voronezh Oblast
1991

France

Limoges

Haute-Vienne
1992

Poland

Wroclaw

Lower Silesian Voivodeship
1993

Ghana

Kumasi

Ashanti Region
1996

Israel

Hadera

Haifa District
2009

Italy

Brindisi

Apulia
2010


document_title: World's Strongest Man

question_text: who won the world's strongest man 2015

question_tokens: who won the world 's strongest man 2015

root

text: World's Strongest Man

text: History[edit]

text: There are now several documentaries available that chart the history of WSM. The first major one is: Worlds Strongest Man - Thirty Years Of Pain from 2008, celebrating the 30th anniversary.[8] 2017 saw the debut of a series of videos celebrating the 40th anniversary and 2017 contest.[9][10]

tag: p

text: The concept behind "The World's Strongest Men", as it was originally named, was developed in 1977 for CBS by Langstar Inc. David Webster, a Scot who later received an OBE for his services to sport, was the head coordinator of the competition from its inception. Dr Douglas Edmunds, seven-times Scottish shot and discus champion and twice world caber champion[11] worked with Webster and when Webster retired Edmunds took over. These two men were responsible for inviting the competitors and choosing the events. In the meantime, in 1982, CBS sold the rights to the BBC, who in turn sold the rights to TWI. In 1987, the WSM was not held for the only time since its inception. In that year the first and only non-team Pure Strength competition was held but it was not part of the WSM franchise.

text: For the first several contests, well-known American color commentators and analysts were used on the network broadcast. These included Brent Musburger, Tom Brookshier, and acknowledged strength authority, journalist and author Dr. Terry Todd. Todd was a former powerlifting world record holder himself and went on to establish the H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports in 1990. He also was asked to establish The Arnold Strongman Classic in 2001 by Arnold Schwarzenegger. This competition has the largest purse of any Strongman contest, with a $72,000+ top prize in 2017.[12]

text: During this early period, the contest ranks consisted mostly of American football players, powerlifters, and bodybuilders and held in American locations until it was moved to Christchurch, New Zealand in 1983. Two-time winner Bruce Wilhelm (USA) retired and was succeeded by the massive Don Reinhoudt in 1979, 162kg (357lb) heavyweight powerlifter of the USA. Reinhoudt still holds several unequipped world records in powerlifting to this day.[13]

text: In 1979, newcomer and legendary powerlifter Bill Kazmaier (USA) made his appearance, coming in 3rd after leading much of the competition. He dominated the sport to such an extent from 1980-82 (winning by a record 28 points in 1980), he eventually was left out of the competition, even after becoming the first man to win 3-consecutive WSM titles[14] He set prodigious marks with a 478.5kg (1055lb) silver dollar coin deadlift, 439.5kg (969lb) squat(smith machine), and a then-record 165.6kg (365lb) log lift with a rough, unbalanced log. His legendary status eventually earned him a place in the WSM Hall of Fame.

text: After Kazmaier left, his nearest rival: former Olympian Geoff Capes from the UK traded wins with the charismatic Icelandic powerlifter: Jón Páll Sigmarsson. Sigmarsson raised the popularity and awareness of the event to new levels.[15]. He died 3 years after winning his 4th and final WSM in 1990. In that year, he beat perhaps the strongest man never to win the title: world record holder, heavyweight powerlifter: O.D. Wilson(USA).

text: In 1995, Edmunds and Webster, along with representatives from the competitors including Jamie Reeves, Ilkka Kinnunen and Marcel Mostert formed a governing body called the International Federation of Strength Athletes ("IFSA"). The IFSA began organizing its own bespoke events, such as the IFSA European Championships but also took the lead in working with BBC and TWI to organize the World's Strongest Man competition. For almost a decade the IFSA and WSM were inextricably mixed, but this changed in 2004. The InvestGroup Ventures' sports rights management arm, InvestGroup Sports Management, invested heavily into IFSA and this led to the creation of IFSA Strongman. The strategy was to acquire most of the international assets and properties relating to the strongman sport. In essence this was a new organisation[16] with some, such as Magnus Samuelsson, describing it as "a new company . . . with the same name as our old federation".[17] The attempt at dominance was not well received by TWI and disagreement ensued leading to a split in the sport. Previously, in 2001, the IFSA in its former guise had entered an agreement with World Class Events (WCE), headed by Ulf Bengtsson, to run the Super Series. This Super Series was designed to award the World Championship title, but also acted as a qualifying vehicle for the WSM. When strongman split in 2004, the Super Series sided with TWI forming a rival federation to the IFSA.[16] With the WSM being a TWI owned event, IFSA Holdings announced its own World Championships for 2005, to be held in Quebec, and thus from that point had no involvement in the WSM contest.

text: The split with IFSA, which banned its registered athletes from competing at WSM, meant that not all the recognized best strength athletes in the world were eligible to compete. However, the reputation of WSM as the premier event maintained its lure for broadcasting purposes. In recent years, the competition has been broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, TSN, Televisa Deportes and Five, and currently CBS Sports Network in the USA. The longevity of the contest in strength athletics and its high levels of TV exposure over the years has led to it being described as "the granddaddy of all strongman contests".[16] In recent years, to curb injuries, the contest events have included a certain amount of athleticism rather than being about raw strength. This has led some critics to say that contests such as the Arnold Strongman Classic or Fortissimus are the true strongest man competitions. However, it is routinely described as "the Worlds" by top strongman competitors[16] and despite the critics, it is the leading brand name in the field. No other strongman contest commands close to the WSM's levels of TV exposure.[16]The World's Strongest Man claims a viewership of 220 million.[18]

text: In the early 1990s, Magnús Ver Magnússon (Iceland) won the title four times and became the second and only man along with the legendary Bill Kazmaier to win three consecutive titles. The late 1990s saw Scandinavian countries taking control of the title, and this lasted until 2002. The relatively small 125 kg (275 lb) but dynamic Jouko Ahola from Finland won two titles in three years during this period. He later became a referee in WSM/strongman events and an actor.

text: The early to late 2000s were dominated by five-time Polish winner Mariusz Pudzianowski, earning the nickname: "The Dominator". Looking muscular and defined, he temporarily redefined what a strongman was in the world's eyes. At about 142 kg (313 lb) at max weight, he routinely beat men much bigger than he was. He combined speed and massive strength in one package.[19] His final win was in 2008 as bigger and taller men came into the sport.

text: The 2006 competition ended in dramatic fashion, with Phil Pfister edging out Mariusz Pudzianowski in the final event, the Atlas stones. Pfister became the first American to win the competition since 1982, and the first American ever to win the competition outside the United States.

text: In 2008, Derek Poundstone had a large lead over Mariusz Pudzianowski after 3 events but Pudzianowski tied the deadlift event for first place and then won the crucial plane-pull to narrow the gap. Pudzianowski and Poundstone then battled for the title of World's Strongest Man in the last event, the Atlas Stones. Pudzianowski blistered through the event and was able to keep pace with the heavier Poundstone. On the final stone, Pudzianowski was able to capitalize on Poundstone's drop and clinched his fifth title.

text: In 2009, the long-running IFSA/WSM split had ended resulting in finally having all of the top strongmen from around the world all in the same contest. 2-time IFSA World Champion Žydrūnas Savickas claimed his first WSM title, with defending champion Mariusz coming in second in his final ever WSM contest. Another up and comer Brian Shaw placed third.

text: Žydrūnas repeated his victory again in 2010, winning by countback[20] against Brian Shaw in the closest finish in WSM history. Top IFSA competitor and fan favorite Mikhail Koklyaev finished third in his WSM debut. Žydrūnas set a world record in the giant wooden log lift with a lift of 212.5 kg (467.5 lbs.).

text: In 2011, Brian Shaw was able to finally capture his first WSM title, just edging out Žydrūnas. Both athletes were tied going into the Atlas Stones and Brian was able to capitalize on his massive height advantage and claim the title. England's Terry Hollands finished in third place, this being his second podium finish after finishing third back in 2007.

text: Going into the 2012 WSM contest, Brian Shaw suffered from nerve damage in his hands and slipped down to fourth place. This opened the door for Žydrūnas to capture his third WSM title, with fellow Lithuanian Vytautas Lalas coming in second and the Icelandic giant Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson placed third. Žydrūnas set a world record in the log lift with a lift of 220 kg (484 lbs.).

text: In the 2017 WSM, two 4-time winners: (Brian Shaw and Žydrūnas Savickas) competed head-to-head for the first time, but Eddie Hall won his first title over runner-up Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson by 1 point, and was the first win for the UK since Welshman Gary Taylor in 1993. The contest was not without controversy, however with Björnsson claiming that he completed one more rep in the Viking press than the judge awarded him. Hall set a new Strongman world record with a regular bar at 472.5kg (1041.7lbs) for a deadlift performed with just straps.

text: For a timeline, see the official WSM site:[21]

text: 2018: A tentative event list was sent to the athletes to allow them some additional time to train for this year’s competition. The event list is not final and is subject to change. The location/dates will be finalized in the very near future. Events will be decided shortly after. The athlete qualifiers (heats) groupings will be decided once all of the Giants Live qualifying events have completed.

text: Nonetheless, this the unofficial list of events, courtesy of Starting Strongman:[22][23]

text: Heats (Qualifiers): Load and Drag, Load and Farmer’s Walk, Truck Pull, Overhead Press (Dumbbell), Overhead Press (Log), Arm Over Arm, Toss, Squat with loading barrels, Deadlift with loading barrels, Atlas Stones

text: Note that the heats get different events from the above list, usually with five or six events. One group may get the overhead press with a dumbbell and another with a log, one may squat with loading barrels and the other will deadlift with loading barrels, etc.

text: Finals Events: Frame Carry, Car Deadlift, Loading Race, Truck Pull, Max Overhead, Atlas Stones

text: IMG / WSM named Colin Bryce as the 2018 World’s Strongest Man Tournament Director.

text: Colin has been instrumental in creating an official Qualifying System to #WSM, in the Giants Live Series, and has worked on the show since 1996.[24]

text: Four-Time World's Strongest Man titleholder Magnús Ver Magnússon signed as the official head referee.[25]

text: Competition format and commonly contested events[edit]

text: Initially, eight men representing various sports and strength disciplines were invited to compete against each other in unique events designed to test each individual to the fullest extent. The earliest events were relatively crude, but new ideas were introduced over the years. Some events had a basis in both powerlifting and Highland Games heavy events, and others were created based on mythological feats of strength. There are a number of events that make up each competition.[26][27]

text:
Loading Race – Several heavy objects, each weighing between 220–360 pounds (100–163 kg), are loaded onto a truck bed or a similar platform over a course of about 50 feet (15 m).[28]
McGlashen Stones / Atlas Stones – Five heavy round stones increasing in weight from 220–350 pounds (100–159 kg) are lifted and set on platforms. When the stones were first introduced to the competition, it was an individual event and the platforms were all of equal height. The modern Atlas Stones event takes place on a 16–33-foot (5–10 m) long course and the competitors participate two at a time. There are three current variations to the Atlas Stones event. In one, the stones are placed directly in front of the platforms and the competitors must simply lift and place them, generally the lightest stone being placed on the highest platform. In another, the stones are placed in a diagonal line, with the first stone being in front of the first platform, and each subsequent stone is set farther back from the course, with the heaviest stone being farthest away (or vice versa). The third variation sees the five platforms in a straight vertical line with the stones in front of each, and the competitors must place the stones and then move a short distance to the next one. In recent competitions,this is typically the final event.[29] In the 2015 competition, the maximum stone was 209 kilos(461lbs)[30]
Vehicle Pull – Vehicles such as transport trucks, trams, boxcars, buses, or planes are pulled across a 100-foot (30 m) course as fast as possible. One variation sees the competitors pull the object with a rope toward them. Another has them attached to a rope which is attached to a vehicle, while they use another rope to pull themselves down the course. A third involves no ropes, with the competitors pulling the vehicle while connected to a harness.[31] The 2007 competition featured pulling a fire truck (possibly a nod to 2006 champion Phil Pfister, a professional firefighter), and the 2008 qualifying rounds featured a coal truck (a reference to the coal mining industry in West Virginia, where the competition was held).[32]
Overhead Press – The heaviest possible load is pressed overhead, or a lighter weight is used for repetitions.[33]
Fingal Fingers – A series of hinged poles ("fingers") are lifted starting from a horizontal resting position and flipped over to the other side. The poles get progressively heavier and longer. The event is scored by time and by how many of the poles a competitor was able to flip over. The event takes its name from Fingal, a mythological Gaelic hunter-warrior.[34]
Power Stairs – A series of three Duck Walk implements ranging from 400–600 pounds (181–272 kg) are lifted, step by step, to the top of a flight of stairs.[35]
Squat – Squatting large weights, such as 900 pounds (410 kg) of bricks, a car, or people on a platform. Recently, an apparatus has been used that drops weighted kegs into a cage, one at a time after each successful lift (the event, in this case, is scored by weight instead of repetitions). The athlete will continue until completion, failure or time expires.[36]
Dead Lift – Lifting weights or vehicles up to about 1,100 pounds (500 kg) straight off the ground until knees lock in a standing position. Lift is for either maximum weight, maximum repetitions with a fixed weight, or for time whilst holding a single repetition. In recent years, a similar keg-loaded apparatus to that described above for the squat has been used.[37][38]
Keg Toss – Competitors must throw kegs, of increasing weight, over a 14 ft 6 in (4.42 m) high bar. A variation using kettlebells was added to the 2015 competition.[39][40]
Weight Throw - a 50-pound (23 kg) weight is thrown overhead with the goal being to clear a barrier above the competitor. The goal is to throw the weight the highest.
Car Carry – Competitors stand inside a stripped-down automobile, which is missing some of its roof and all of its bottom and interior, and carry it across a 25-meter (82 ft) course. Players are scored by how fast they carried the car across the finish line or how far they were able to get the car before the time-limit expired.[41]
Hercules Hold – The athlete stands between two hinged pillars, gripping handles that prevent the pillars from falling to the side. The pillars are held for the longest possible time.[42]
Carry and Drag – An anchor and a chain are carried to the end of a set distance, where they must be attached to each other and then dragged back the same distance.[43]
Farmer's Walk – Competitors carry heavy objects (usually anvils) weighing from 275 to 375 lbs (125 to 170 kg) in each hand for a set distance, and compete for the fastest time. A variation involves use of a heavy frame with parallel handles or heavy objects attached to handles, and another involves much heavier weights (referred to as the Giant Farmer's Walk).[44] This event is usually done on the same course as the Carry and Drag is and conducted as a race, but one competition in Sanya, China saw the competitors compete individually carrying the weights up a small set of stairs. A competition in Victoria Falls, Zambia 2001 saw the competitors race two at a time along a course requiring several turns.[45]
Super Yoke – Apparatus composed of a crossbar and two uprights. The uprights each have a heavy weight attached to them, such as a refrigerator or diesel engine, and the competitors must carry the yoke on their shoulders for a short distance.[46]
Husafell Stone – A flat, somewhat triangular rock weighing around 400 lb (182 kg) is carried high on the chest for a set distance. During the three years in which the competition took place in Africa, this event was known as the Africa Stone.[47]
Duck Walk– An object with a handle is carried, suspended between the legs, over a set course.[48]
Log Throw / Caber toss – A five-meter-long (16 1⁄2 foot) log is thrown for distance or for height over a bar. When thrown for distance, the event is conducted similarly to the normal caber toss but with distance replacing technique. The length of the throw is determined by measuring the distance between where the competitor's toes were when he tossed and the tip of the log, based on where it first landed.[49]
Tug of War – One on one tug of war in a single-elimination tournament. In the first few competitions, this determined the champion and served as the final event.[50]
Pole Pushing – One on one pole pushing in a Sumo-style ring in a single-elimination tournament. The pole has handles at either end.[51]
Crucifix – Weights are held straight out at each side for as long a time as possible. A common variation entails weights being held out in front, using either one or both hands.[52]
Giant Dumbbell Press — Single-handed dumbbells are hoisted from the ground onto the competitor's shoulder, from where, with one hand, he must raise it vertically over his head and lockout his arm. With four weights between 100 and 115 kilograms (220 and 254 lb), scoring is based on time and number of successful lifts.[53]
Basque Circle/Stone Circle/Conan's Wheel - A competitor takes hold of the handle of a metal basket by placing the handle on his forearms. Inside the basket, usually, is at least 600 pounds (270 kg) of heavy stones (The 2015 WSM replaced the stones with pineapplesand at least one earlier competition used a car). Holding the basket in the crook of his elbow, the competitor carries the basket in a clockwise manner over a platform with a 25-meter (82 ft) circumference. The event is contested for distance.[54]
Norse Hammers - Added to the competition for the first time in 2015, the Norse Hammers is similar to the Fingal Fingers event. Three hammers, shaped like those of Norse god Thor, must be flipped over. Unlike the Fingal Fingers, the competitors must lift the hammer from the side before pushing it up. There are three hammers, weighing 350, 365, and 380 pounds, respectively. In order to complete the event, all three hammers must be flipped within the time limit.[55]
Circus Barbell - Similar to the Overhead Press, this event gets its name from the apparatus used which resembles the stereotypical barbell used by circus strongmen. The barbell, which weighs 150 kilograms (330 lb), consists of two heavy spheres with a thick, flexible bar that makes it difficult for the competitors to lift. The event is conducted for reps within a time limit and the movement to complete the lift resembles a clean and press lift.[56]

tag: ul

text: Most championships[edit]

text:
Champion
Country
Times
Years

Mariusz Pudzianowski
 Poland
5
2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008

Žydrūnas Savickas
 Lithuania
4
2009, 2010, 2012, 2014

Magnús Ver Magnússon
 Iceland
4
1991, 1994, 1995, 1996

Jón Páll Sigmarsson
 Iceland
4
1984, 1986, 1988, 1990

Brian Shaw
 United States
4
2011, 2013, 2015, 2016[57]

Bill Kazmaier
 United States
3
1980, 1981, 1982

Jouko Ahola
 Finland
2
1997, 1999

Geoff Capes
 United Kingdom
2
1983, 1985

Bruce Wilhelm
 United States
2
1977, 1978

tag: table

text: Official results – top three places[edit]

text:
Year
Champion
Runner-Up
3rd Place
Location

2018

 Manila, Philippines

2017
 Eddie Hall
 Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
 Brian Shaw
 Gaborone, Botswana

2016
 Brian Shaw
 Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
 Eddie Hall
 Kasane, Botswana

2015
 Brian Shaw
 Žydrūnas Savickas
 Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
 Putrajaya, Malaysia

2014
 Žydrūnas Savickas
 Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
 Brian Shaw
 Los Angeles, California

2013
 Brian Shaw
 Žydrūnas Savickas
 Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
 Sanya, China

2012[58]
 Žydrūnas Savickas
 Vytautas Lalas
 Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
 Los Angeles, California

2011
 Brian Shaw
 Žydrūnas Savickas
 Terry Hollands
 Wingate, North Carolina

2010
 Žydrūnas Savickas[59]
 Brian Shaw
 Mikhail Koklyaev
 Sun City, South Africa

2009
 Žydrūnas Savickas
 Mariusz Pudzianowski
 Brian Shaw
 Valletta, Malta

2008
 Mariusz Pudzianowski
 Derek Poundstone
 Dave Ostlund
 Charleston, West Virginia

2007
 Mariusz Pudzianowski
 Sebastian Wenta
 Terry Hollands
 Anaheim, California

2006
 Phil Pfister
 Mariusz Pudzianowski
 Don Pope
 Sanya, China

2005
 Mariusz Pudzianowski
 Jesse Marunde
 Dominic Filiou
 Chengdu, China

2004
 Vasyl Virastyuk
 Žydrūnas Savickas
 Magnus Samuelsson
 Nassau, Bahamas

2003
 Mariusz Pudzianowski
 Žydrūnas Savickas
 Vasyl Virastyuk
 Victoria Falls, Zambia

2002
 Mariusz Pudzianowski
 Žydrūnas Savickas
 Raimonds Bergmanis
 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2001
 Svend Karlsen
 Magnus Samuelsson
 Janne Virtanen
 Victoria Falls, Zambia

2000
 Janne Virtanen
 Svend Karlsen
 Magnus Samuelsson
 Sun City, South Africa

1999
 Jouko Ahola
 Janne Virtanen
 Svend Karlsen
 Valletta, Malta

1998
 Magnus Samuelsson
 Jouko Ahola
 Wout Zijlstra
 Tangier, Morocco

1997
 Jouko Ahola
 Flemming Rasmussen
 Magnus Samuelsson
 Primm Valley Resort, Nevada

1996
 Magnús Ver Magnússon
 Riku Kiri
 Gerrit Badenhorst
 Port Louis, Mauritius

1995
 Magnús Ver Magnússon
 Gerrit Badenhorst
 Marko Varalahti
 Nassau, Bahamas

1994
 Magnús Ver Magnússon
 Manfred Hoeberl
 Riku Kiri
 Sun City, South Africa

1993
 Gary Taylor
 Magnús Ver Magnússon
 Riku Kiri
 Orange, France

1992
 Ted van der Parre
 Magnús Ver Magnússon
 Jamie Reeves
 Reykjavík, Iceland

1991
 Magnús Ver Magnússon
 Henning Thorsen
 Gary Taylor
 Tenerife, Canary Islands

1990
 Jón Páll Sigmarsson
 O.D. Wilson
 Ilkka Nummisto
 Joensuu, Finland

1989
 Jamie Reeves
 Ab Wolders
 Jón Páll Sigmarsson
 San Sebastián, Spain

1988
 Jón Páll Sigmarsson
 Bill Kazmaier
 Jamie Reeves
 Budapest, Hungary

1986
 Jón Páll Sigmarsson
 Geoff Capes
 Ab Wolders
 Nice, France

1985
 Geoff Capes
 Jón Páll Sigmarsson
 Cees de Vreugd
 Cascais, Portugal

1984
 Jón Páll Sigmarsson
 Ab Wolders
 Geoff Capes
 Mora, Sweden

1983
 Geoff Capes
 Jón Páll Sigmarsson
 Simon Wulfse
 Christchurch, New Zealand

1982
 Bill Kazmaier
 Tom Magee
 John Gamble
 Magic Mountain, California

1981
 Bill Kazmaier
 Geoff Capes
 Dave Waddington
 Magic Mountain, California

1980
 Bill Kazmaier
 Lars Hedlund
 Geoff Capes
 Vernon, New Jersey

1979
 Don Reinhoudt
 Lars Hedlund
 Bill Kazmaier
 Universal Studios, California

1978
 Bruce Wilhelm
 Don Reinhoudt
 Lars Hedlund
 Universal Studios, California

1977
 Bruce Wilhelm
 Bob Young
 Ken Patera
 Universal Studios, California

text: In 1987 the WSM was not held for the only time since its inception. In that year the first and only non-team Pure Strength competition was held. Although it was not part of the WSM franchise, some commentators regard it as a replacement for WSM in that year.[citation needed]

tag: ol

text: Most top three places[edit]

text:
Times
Name

10
 Žydrūnas Savickas

8
 Brian Shaw

7
 Jón Páll Sigmarsson
 Mariusz Pudzianowski

6
 Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
 Magnús Ver Magnússon
 Geoff Capes

5
 Bill Kazmaier
 Magnus Samuelsson

text: Most times qualified for WSM:  Žydrūnas Savickas,  Magnus Samuelsson - 13 times

text: Most WSM finals:  Žydrūnas Savickas, - 11 times

text: Most consecutive WSM finals:  Terry Hollands - 9 times (2006-2014)

text: Most times WSM top 5 placings:,  Žydrūnas Savickas, - 10 times

text: Championships by country[edit]

text:
Country
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Total

 United States
11
7
9
27

 Iceland
8
7
4
19

 Poland
5
3
0
8

 United Kingdom
5
2
8
15

 Lithuania
4
7
0
11

 Finland
3
3
5
11

 Sweden
1
3
4
8

 Netherlands
1
2
4
7

 Norway
1
1
1
3

 Ukraine
1
0
1
2

 Denmark
0
2
0
2

 Canada
0
1
1
2

 South Africa
0
1
1
2

 Austria
0
1
0
1

 Latvia
0
0
1
1

 Russia
0
0
1
1

text: Australia, Bulgaria, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Fiji, France, Germany, Grenada, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Serbia and Samoa have all placed in Top 10 but never won a medal.

text: Hall of Fame[edit]

text: The WSM Hall of Fame was created in 2008, to recognize the greatest competitors in the history of the contest.[60] As of 2017, there are 4 members of the WSM Hall of Fame, Mariusz Pudzianowski, Svend Karlsen, Jón Páll Sigmarsson and Bill Kazmaier.[60] The official WSM website holds online voting to determine who is elected to the Hall of Fame as voted by the fans.[60]

text: Hall of Fame Members[edit]

text:
Jón Páll Sigmarsson
 Mariusz Pudzianowski
 Svend Karlsen
 Bill Kazmaier