Wilmington (population 106,000) is a city within the state of North Carolina. The city serves as the county seat of New Hanover County. It the eighth largest city by population in the state of North Carolina. The bigger Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area, wherein the city of Wilmington is a part, has a population of 362,315 (2010 census).
Wilmington is a port city nestled between Cape Fear River and the Atlantic ocean. During 2008 Wilmington was named amongst the Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The city's historic downtown features a mile-long Riverwalk, that is a popular tourist attraction. Close to a variety of beaches, the city of Wilmington has three beach communities in a 20-30 minute drive from downtown: Carolina, Kure and Wrightsville beach.
During the 1720's, English settlers moved into the area. The city of Wilmington was then incorporated during the year 1739, and was named to honor the Earl of Wilmington, who was a British Primer Minister under King George II. Naval supply and lumber production formed the economic base of the city in the 18th and 19th Centuries. The port was a major base for Confederate blockade runners in the Civil War.
Wilmington history records a notorious assault on an African-American district by a faction of Caucasians who were insulted by an editorial that had appeared in the local African-American newspaper. The mob set fire to the newspaper building, destroyed the printing press, forced hundreds more to leave town and lynched black residents. The incident is referred to as the "Massacre of 1898." The white group leader responsible for the massacre became the mayor later.
There is a solid industrial sector in Wilmington City. The city is likewise part of North Carolina's research coast, that is one of the largest research centers in the U.S. The manufacturers in the city of Wilmington provide clothing, electrical, medical, electronic and telecommunications equipment, food products and paper products. Amongst the biggest TV and movie production facilities outside of the state of California is situated in Wilmington - EUE Screen Gems Studios.
Most of Wilmington residents are employed in the sectors of educational services, healthcare, food and accommodation services, professional, construction, scientific and professional services. College graduates are employed within Wilmington City as teachers, registered nurses, management analysts, sales representatives, social workers, sales managers and financial managers.