 The major rivers in the region include the French Broad River, Nolichucky River, Watauga River, Little Tennessee River, and Hiwassee River flowing into the Tennessee River valley; the New River flowing into the Ohio River valley; and the headwaters and upper valleys of the Catawba River, Yadkin River, Broad River, and Saluda River flowing through the foothills towards the Atlantic.The Eastern Continental Divide runs through the region, dividing Tennessee-bound streams from those flowing through the Carolinas.Western North Carolina generally consists of 29 counties, that when combined form a total regional area of roughly 13,000 square miles (30,000 km²).