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Hatteras Island

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Twenty-five miles off the coast of North Carolina, where the Gulf Stream meets the Labrador Current, lies a narrow strip of sand called Hatteras Island. Stretched over 70 miles of barrier islands, Cape Hatteras Seashore is a fascinating combination of natural and cultural resources, and provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities. Once dubbed the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" for its treacherous currents, shoals, and storms, Cape Hatteras has a wealth of history relating to shipwrecks, lighthouses, and the U.S. Lifesaving Service. This island provides a variety of habitats and is a valuable wintering area for migrating waterfowl. The fishing and surfing are considered the best on the east coast.