According to INDEXDOTCOM, North Carolina is located in the southeastern United States, bordered by South Carolina to the south, Virginia to the north, Tennessee and Georgia to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The state has three distinct geographic regions: the Appalachian Mountains in the far western part of the state; a large Piedmont Plateau region in central North Carolina; and a coastal plain that extends from Virginia down to South Carolina. The Appalachian Mountains are home to some of North Carolina’s highest peaks, including Mt. Mitchell (the highest peak in the Eastern United States) and Grandfather Mountain. The Piedmont Plateau is characterized by rolling hills and valleys, with some flat areas as well as several large cities such as Charlotte, Raleigh and Winston-Salem. The coastal plain is generally flat, with sandy beaches along its eastern coastline. According to SIMPLYYELLOWPAGES, North Carolina is home to a variety of institutions of higher learning. The state is home to both public and private universities, as well as community colleges, technical schools, and liberal arts colleges. Public universities in North Carolina include the University of North Carolina system (which includes UNC Chapel Hill, NC State University, UNC Charlotte, East Carolina University, Appalachian State University, and many more), North Carolina A&T State University (the largest public historically black university in the nation), and Elizabeth City State University. Private universities in North Carolina include Duke University, Wake Forest University, Davidson College, Elon University, and High Point University. Community colleges are widely available throughout the state offering associate degrees and certificate programs. They also provide students with access to specialized training programs that prepare them for specific careers or jobs. North Carolina also has a number of technical schools such as Central Piedmont Community College’s Harper Campus which offers career-oriented programs for students interested in medical technology or aviation maintenance technology. Finally there are several excellent liberal arts colleges located throughout the state including Guilford College in Greensboro and Warren Wilson College near Asheville.