The Raleigh/Durham area is centrally located in the state, affording travelers easy access to coastal communities as well as interior cities with that focus on medical and technical research, pharmaceuticals and furniture manufacturing. North Carolina's nationally recognized Research Triangle covers eight counties and encompasses Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Located in the hilly Piedmont region of the state, the Raleigh/Durham area is also a gateway to a wide range of historic, cultural, and outdoor activities.