Winston-Salem is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 185,776; in 2004 the city annexe an additional 17,483 raising the population to 223,000. It is the county seat and largest city of Forsyth County and the third-largest city in the state. Winston-Salem is a prominent municipality in the Piedmont Triad region and is home to one of the tallest office buildings in the region, the Wachovia Center. It is often referred to as the "Twin City" for its dual heritage, although "Camel City" is another popular nickname, referring to the city's prominent tobacco industry (after Camel cigarettes). Many locals, however, use the shortened name "Winston" in informal speech. Winston-Salem is the home of Wake Forest University, a nationally distinguished private university.