Asheville

Asheville is a city in Buncombe County, western North Carolina, United States. It sits along the French Broad River in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is known for its mild climate and scenic surroundings. As of the latest estimates, the city has about 92,000 residents and is the principal urban center of western North Carolina.

The area was historically inhabited by the Cherokee and was settled by European Americans in the late 18th century. Asheville grew after the arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century, and in 1889 George W. Vanderbilt began construction of the Biltmore Estate nearby, which helped establish the city as a major tourist destination.

Today, Asheville is known for its arts scene, historic architecture, and access to outdoor recreation. The city hosts numerous galleries, studios, and the River Arts District, and it has developed a prominent craft beer industry with many breweries in and around the urban core.

Biltmore Estate remains a major draw, along with other historic neighborhoods and venues. The city is home to the University of North Carolina at Asheville and several cultural institutions, and it serves as a regional hub for health care, education, and tourism.

Interstate highways connect Asheville to surrounding regions, and the city is served by the Asheville Regional Airport. The climate is temperate with four distinct seasons, offering mild winters and warm summers, and precipitation is moderate year-round.