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Randolph County, it goes without saying, is more than just a visit to the North Carolina Zoo, a tour of Seagrove's 100-plus potteries, a pit stop at the Richard Petty Museum or a day of fishing in the cool coves of Randleman Lake.

Then again, that's a start.

A 15-minute, traffic-free ride from downtown Greensboro, the green, laid-back expanse of Randolph awaits with farm stands, river valleys, forests and hills big enough to qualify as mountains.

Randolph's 790 square miles make it North Carolina's 11th largest county, but it's only 17th in population, with 130,000 residents. That translates into a commodity fast vanishing elsewhere in the Piedmont: wide-open space and possibilities.

The zoo is a prime example: Spanning 500 acres in the ancient Uwharrie Mountains, it is the largest walking zoo in the U.S., and its North American and African exhibits were the first to be designed on the natural habitat model.

Already, the zoo has played an increasing role in environmental education, highlighting the stress on species from big game animals to honeybees.

And stay tuned: There are another 900 acres available for future development. Given the phenomenal success of the zoo, which attracts thousands of visitors every week of the year, the future could be interesting.

Similarly, Randolph's in-the-rough quality has been fertile ground for other great ideas.

Victory Junction, founded by the Petty family, is a one-of-a-kind camp for seriously ill children. The Montagnard Dega Farm preserves a way of life for an endangered culture from he Vietnam highlands. Goat Lady Dairy, a now-famous slow-food jewel, carved itself from an old tobacco farm.

Another thing Randolph County will never lose is small-town charm: A cold Cheerwine at the Jitter Burger, a trip through the area's last covered bridge at Pisgah Church or a lazy afternoon along Deep River Nature Trail, where you can picnic, fish, feed the ducks or wade in, because there are no signs warning you not to.

Contact Lorraine Ahearn at 373-7334 or lorraine.ahearn@news-record.com

Other Randolph County cities and towns:

ARCHDALE

Population: 9,041

Incorporated: 1969

Named for: Archdale was settled as Bush Hill in 1786 by Quakers who migrated from Bush River, S.C. In 1887, the town was renamed after John Archdale, an early Quaker governor.

Government: The City Council meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month at City Hall, 307 Balfour Drive. 431-9141; www.www.archdale-nc.gov.

Elected officials: Mayor Bert Lance-Stone 431-6924; Roger Blackwell, 431-8170; Eddie Causey, 431-7233; Lewis Dorsett, 431-6879; Robert (Trey) Gray, III, 431-3074; Larry Warlick, 431-3860; Tim Williams, 431-9235.

ASHEBORO

Population: 21,672

Incorporated: 1796

Named for: Samuel Ashe, North Carolina's governor from 1795 to 1798.

Government: The City Council meets at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of the month in council chambers of City Hall at 146 N. Church St. 626-1201; www.ci.asheboro.nc.us.

Elected officials: Mayor David Jarrell, 625-3910; Mayor Pro Tem David Smith, 625-5524; Talmadge Baker, 629-3227; Eddie Burks, 672-1493; Linda Carter, 629-5512; Keith Crisco, 629-2626; Walker Moffitt, 629-9996; Archie "Mack" Priest, 629-9514 or 625-4650.

FRANKLINVILLE

Population: 1,258

Incorporated: 1847

Named for: Jesse Franklin, governor of North Carolina from 1820 to 1821.

Government: The town's Board of Commissioners meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Town Hall, 163 W. Main St. 824-2604; www.franklinville-nc.gov.

Elected officials: Mayor Jerry Grazier, 736-1107; Mayor Pro Tem A.C. Hurley, 824-4381; Rick Andrews, 824-1297; Perry Conner, 549-4908; Sharon Grose, 824-4891; Randy Pugh, 824-4039.

LIBERTY

Population: 2,661

Incorporated: 1889

Named for: A "Liberty Oak" mentioned in 1807 writings in reference to a nearby plantation.

Government: Town Council workshops are at 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month, and council business meetings are at 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at Town Hall, 239 S. Fayetteville St. 622-4276; www.liberty-nc.com.

Elected officials: Mayor John K. Stanley, 622-3055; Mayor Pro Tem Pike Johnson, 622-4937; James L. Humble, 622-4759; Carolyn Vickrey, 622-3120; Keith Slusher, 622-2248; Tracy Beard-Whatley, 622-2253

RAMSEUR

Population: 1,588

Incorporated: 1895

Named for: Maj. Gen. Stephen Dodson Ramseur, the youngest Confederate general.

Government: The town's Board of Commissioners meets the first Monday of each month, excluding holidays, at the Ramseur Municipal building, 724 Liberty St. 824-4111 or 824-8530; www.townoframseur.org.

Elected officials: Mayor Hampton L. Spivey, 824-2645; Mayor Pro Tem Danny R. Shaw, 824-8883; Randy Brooks, 824-4378; Ray G. Isley, 824-8446; Elton Smith, 824-2116; Morris Rudick, 824-7919.

RANDLEMAN

Population: 3,577

Incorporated: 1880

Named for: John Banner Randleman, owner of Randleman Mills cotton company.

Government: The City Council meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday after the first Monday of each month at the police department, 100 Hillary St. City Hall is at 101 Hillary St. 495-7500; www.randleman.org.

Elected officials: Mayor Anthony V. Lowe, 498-4087; Charles Byerly, 498-7149; Melissa Blalock, 498-8085; Bud Talley, 498-3883, Sherrill Shaw, 498-2046; Phil Pendry, 498-2848.

SEAGROVE

Population: 246

Incorporated: 1913

Named for: Railroad official Samuel Seagrove.

Government: Seagrove's Board of Commissioners meets at 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at 122 Main St. 873-7307.

Elected officials: Mayor Michael T. Walker, 873-7292; Mayor Pro Tem Ruby Mullin, 873-7325; Scott Auman, unlisted number; David Garner, 873-7971; Barbara Graves, unlisted number; Gordon Milks Jr., 873-7026.

STALEY

Population: 347

Incorporated: 1901

Named for: Confederate Col. John Staley.

Government: The town's Board of Commissioners meets at 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Town Hall, 220 S. Main St. 622-3030.

Elected officials: Mayor Katen Scotton, 622-2054; Lori Hankins, 622-5138; Marlene Jones, 622-7128; Lib Marley, 622-2419; Doug Nixon, 622-5527; Steve Rollins, 622-0391.

TRINITY

Population: 6,690

Incorporated: 1869, but the town's charter lapsed in the early 20th century. Reincorporated in 1997.

Named for: Trinity College, which later moved to Durham and became the foundation for Duke University.

Government: The City Council meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at City Hall, 6701 N.C. 62. 431-2841; www.trinity-nc.gov.

Elected officials: Mayor Fran Andrews, 431-9456; Karen Bridges, 434-7431; Tyler Earnst, 476-9596; Barbara Ewings, 431-9695; Linda Gantt, 431-6893; Kelly Grooms, 861-7818; Barry Lambeth, 861-6693; Edith Reddick, 431-7457; Robbie Sikes, 345-7788.