Yet the Tar Heel State's beauty also shines bright in its most abandoned and forgotten places. Lying between the Atlantic coast and Appalachian Mountains in the American Southeast, North Carolina's geography and economic circumstances greatly contributed to the eventual abandonment of these communities. Today, these abandoned towns show the effects of their decline in different ways. Ranging from crumbling ruins to preserved landmarks, they attract their share of curious visitors, history buffs, and ghost town enthusiasts. They may not be as polished as North Carolina's more famous offerings, but these abandoned beauties make a case for finding meaning in emptiness.