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is an incorporated town located in Franklin Township, within the Nantahala National Forest, in Macon County, North Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 3,490. It is the county seat of Macon County. The Franklin, North Carolina area is rich in gems and minerals and is known as the "Gem Capital of The World."
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.9 square miles (10.0 km²), of which, 3.8 square miles (9.9 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.78%) is water.
The Cullasaja River from Highlands flows into the Little Tennessee River in Franklin.