February 12, 2015
The Outer Banks is a string of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, stretching a distance of 200 miles (322 km). The barrier islands act as a divider between the mainland and the Atlantic Ocean. The islands have open-sea beaches, state parks and shipwreck diving sites. Due to its unique geographical location, the weather there follows unusual patterns.
In the Corolla Village stands the red-brick, 220-step Currituck Beach Lighthouse, positioned 34 miles (55 km) south of the Cape Henry Lighthouse and 32.5 miles (52 km) north-northwest of Bodie Island Lighthouse. It has a height of 162 feet (49 m) to the top of the roof.
The islands are inhabited by herds of banker horses, a type of free-roaming feral horse. These animals survive by grazing on marsh grasses on the island. To prevent overpopulation, National Park Service, the state of North Carolina and private groups manage them carefully.