When
most people think about technology and the new economy,
the Carolinas aren't high on their list of high-tech
areas. But the region has managed to transform itself
from a sleepy backwater into a surprisingly large
metropolitan area in just a couple of decades. Leading
this growth is a proliferation of banking and high-tech
groups. After all, North Carolina is where the Internet
was born in 1969. The capital of the "New Mid South"
is Charlotte, and at 265 meters, the Bank of America
tower stands as its symbol of prosperity. By using
a classic art deco tower style with modern elements
it helps bridge the past and the future. Like may
other similar buildings before it, including the Chrysler
building, this skyscraper's focal point is its spire.
But unlike the Chrysler building which uses light
and stainless steel to create a glittering effect,
the Bank of America building shines from within --
its cap is glass illuminated by floodlights, making
it stand out in the gallery of world skyscrapers.
