What's up, pals? I'm wondering about Duke University's campus size. Does anyone know how big it is? I'm more of an outdoors person, so a spacious campus would be a plus for me!
Hello! Duke University spans an expansive area in Durham, North Carolina. The campus itself is approximately 8,700 acres—that's about 13.6 square miles! This includes the East and West Campuses, the Duke Forest, and the Marine Lab.
The main sites where you'll likely spend most of your time—the East and West Campuses—are about 170 and 440 acres respectively. The West Campus houses the Gothic-style Duke Chapel at its core, which is emblematic of Duke's architectural style. In contrast, East Campus is characterized by Georgian-style red-bricked buildings.
You mentioned being an outdoorsy person, which implies you might be interested in exploring the Duke Forest, which spans over 7,000 acres. It's used for research and education, but it also has recreational trails available for hiking and jogging. Another interesting component of Duke's campus is the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, which is a stunning 55-acre garden right on campus. It's a haven for plant lovers and is a great spot for study breaks or picnics.
In short, with this large campus, an array of architectural styles, and a rich assortment of natural spaces, Duke will definitely cater to your love for the outdoors.
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