Outer Banks
The Outer Banks ( OBX short ) are a narrow 280 -kilometer-long chain of islands in the Atlantic off the coast of North Carolina in the United States. In contrast, the coastal area of North Carolina is within this chain of islands called the Inner Banks, including the islands between the mainland and the Outer Banks.
Geography
The Outer Banks extend far south of the Pamlico Sound in an arc about 308 km (245 line kilometers ) along the coast of North Carolina from the Back Bay ( about 20 km in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia) to Cape Lookout ( North Carolina). From north to south these include Currituck Banks ( a peninsula ), Bodie Iceland ( an extension of the Currituck Banks, however, formerly an island ), Hatteras, Ocracoke and Portsmouth Iceland, and the three uninhabited islands North Core Banks, South Core Banks, and Shackleford Banks of Cape Lookout National Seashore. In the southwest of the island chain in the islands of Bogue Banks, Topsail and Masonboro Iceland Iceland appears to be continuing, but these are no longer expected to the Outer Banks. The accompanying coastal islands sit in the Sea Islands in South Carolina and Georgia continued, they reach Florida. The Shackleford Banks only separated by the 1200 -meter-wide Beaufort Inlet Channel on the south end of the Outer Banks chain and which are located in the West followed, usually not to the Outer Banks island of Bogue Banks calculated.
The width of the islands is in places less than 200 meters. The most exposed point on the east marked Cape Hatteras. There, the distance to the mainland about 50 kilometers.
Due to this exposed on the islands is very strongly affected by the impact of hurricanes in the region. After Hurricane Isabel in 2003, the island of Hatteras was practically divided into two parts. The damages were then eliminated by the army.
History and national heritage
The islands are very popular due to the miles of sandy beaches and the warm climate as a destination. Some beach areas are cleared for vehicular traffic, but all-wheel drive is recommended and is also necessary. The villages on the islands are characterized by wooden buildings in post and beam construction substantially. Great hotel buildings are not found, but there are several, mainly located in the family room.
On the islands, water sports of any kind is operated. Are particularly appreciated the surfing and kite surfing. In addition, numerous deep-sea fishing trips are offered.
On Bodie Iceland is the city Kitty Hawk, where the Wright brothers succeeded in 1903, the first powered flight. In recognition of this achievement was built on the site of the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
The island of Ocracoke served the pirate Blackbeard as a rear base. Before the crash, he was finally killed in 1718. Numerous buildings and souvenir shops on the island remember these events.
In spite of tourism can be found on the Outer Banks numerous animal species. To this end, in addition to the abundance of fish off the coast include different species of birds, turtles and diamond wild horses.
Traffic routes
From the north can be reached via a bridge from the mainland to the Outer Banks. The North Carolina Highway 12 (NC 12) connecting the first four islands from north to south. The southernmost island of Ocracoke is connected by a free ferry (40 minutes) with the island of Hatteras. In addition, there are two connections to Cedar Iceland (135 minutes) and Swan Quarter (165 minutes).
In strong winds it may happen that all ferry routes are set and also the Highway 12 flooded and thus is not passable.
35.266666666667 - 75.533333333333Koordinaten: 35 ° 16 ' N, 75 ° 32 ' W