UNC is an acronym that stands for University of North Carolina, which is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. There are several synonymous terms that people commonly use to refer to UNC. The most common is simply "Carolina," which can be seen on apparel and merchandise all over the state. Another synonym is "Tar Heels," which is derived from North Carolina's history as a major producer of tar and pitch. Other terms include "Chapel Hill," "UNC-Chapel Hill," and "The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill." Regardless of the term used, UNC remains a highly respected institution of higher education in the state and across the country.