Explore a destination located in South Carolina, United States
South Carolina, also known as the “Palmetto State,” is located on the east coast of the United States of America. It is known as one of the original thirteen colonies.[1] The population has grown to 5,277,830 people since first being founded.[2] The land was initially inhabited by the Catawba, Cherokee, and the Creek Native American tribes. Europeans made first contact to the area 1521.[1] Over 2,000 plantations are found in the state, including the Magnolia Plantation, Middleton Place, Boone Hall Plantation, and Drayton Hall. Other popular attractions include Charleston’s Historic District, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island, Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, Brookgreen Gardens, and the Caesars Head State Park.[3] The best time to visit South Carolina is said to be from March to May and September to November; if visiting the beaches, then coming during the summer is advised since it is the hottest part of the year.[4] The state has a rich southern culture, heavily influenced by the Gullah people—descendants of the early slaves. Almost all the population of South Carolina identifies as Christian, with only 5% classifying as non-religious. The location of the state makes it a member of the well-known “Bible Belt.” [5]
South Carolina is located on the eastern coast of the U.S.A. Its modern history is rather extensive as it is among the original thirteen colonies.[1] The state's nickname is the “Palmetto State," coined after the state tree, Sabal palmetto. These trees were highly used during the Civil War to build fortifications because the wood could absorb the impact of a cannonball. The name, "South Carolina," comes from King Charles I of England.[6] The state has grown tremendously since first being settled in 1670, with the current population reaching 5,277,830 people. Columbia, South Carolina, has the highest population density in the state at 133,803 people and is also the state capital.[2]
One of South Carolina’s most well-known attractions is Charleston’s Historic District. The district immerses visitors into an antebellum atmosphere, with over 1,400 historic homes, churches, and other buildings. Popular activities in the area include a carriage ride that gives an overview of the town and its history and a walking tour that allows looking inside the historic buildings. Homes available for tours are the Aiken-Rhett House and the 1808 Nathaniel Russell House, which houses priceless art pieces. Visitors can watch “basket ladies” who preserve a long tradition of weaving sweetgrass baskets when exploring the market. Another popular attraction in the state is Myrtle Beach, especially during the summertime. Myrtle Beach stretches for miles, with various shops and activities along the coast. Tourists can visit musical shows that the Carolina Opry produces or take ten-minute rides on the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel. The Broadway at the Beach is an area that hosts the state’s most extensive entertainment and shopping venue. Hilton Head Island is another famous beach in South Carolina.[3]
South Carolina has a strong history with the civil rights movement and slavery. The state has over 2,000 plantations that are open to visitors and are well-known for their gardens. The most well-known plantations include the Magnolia Plantation, Middleton Place—which has the nation’s oldest landscaped gardens—, Boone Hall Plantation, and the Drayton Hall—the oldest unrestored plantation house that is still open for tours. Another historic location is Patriots Point, where you can visit the USS Yorktown, built-in 1943. The ship has been noted for serving in WWII and the Vietnam War but is mostly recognized for rescuing the Apollo 8 astronauts.[3] Most tourists come to visit South Carolina in February, followed by July and June. The hottest time of the year is during the summer. Many visitors like coming this season to spend time at the beaches. The best times to visit South Carolina for ideal weather are March to May and September to November.[4]
Almost all the population of South Carolina identifies as Christian, with only 5% classifying as non-religious. The location of the state makes it a member of the well-known “Bible Belt,” which consists of southern states with a high density of Christians. People often know South Carolina for its southern American culture and being influenced by the Gullah, descendants of slaves.[5] A big part of the atmosphere found in South Carolina is the music scene. The state highly influenced the emergence of the rock and roll music industry in the 1960s. Many South Carolinians consider this to be a cultural emblem of the state. Another popular music in the Blue Ridge area is bluegrass. Overall, Charleston is known as the center of South Carolina’s culture and has been since the colonial period.[1]
The state draws in people with its rich southern culture and deep history from when it was first founded. South Carolina is full of interesting facts that shape it into what it is today. Such attributes include how the first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. Before the nickname “Palmetto State” came to be, it was referred to as the “Iodine State.” Johnston, South Carolina, is called the Peach Capital of the World and even has a giant peach-shaped water tower. South Carolina is also known for being home to various famous people, including Andrew Jackson, James Brown, Jesse Jackson, and Shoeless Joe Jackson.[7]
South Carolina State is located on the United State's eastern coast and is bordered by North Carolina and Georgia. The connection to the Atlantic Ocean gives the state a long stretch of beaches, some of the most popular being Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island, and Charleston. South Carolina comprises three regions, the first being the Piedmont Province, which includes the Sandhills. The Atlantic Coastal Plain is the second of the three regions and is generally flat with rivers and swamps. The last region is the Blue Ridge Mountain Province, which primarily consists of forested areas.[6]
The highest point of South Carolina is the Sassafras Mountain that falls in the Blue Ridge Mountain Province, with an elevation of 3,560 feet. The fall line divides two of the significant geographical boundaries: sedimentary rocks from the metamorphic rocks.[1] Some lakes in the state include Lake Marion, Strom Thurmond Lake, Russell Lake, Lake Moultrie, and Lake Murray.[8]
The climate of South Carolina is classified as subtropical, meaning it has humid and hot summers with mild winters. The winter temperatures vary from 38 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.[1] Rain and snow will usually happen during the cold months in small amounts, although snow is more infrequent. The summers will usually reach a high of 91 degrees Fahrenheit and have the most precipitation.[4] About 50 inches of rainfall is received annually in the state, but 70-80 inches is possible in the mountain regions.[1] Tropical cyclones can occasionally hit South Carolina since it is located on the coast. Some famously devastating hurricanes to pass through the state are Hurricanes Hazel, Florence, and Hugo, all of which were classified as category four hurricanes.[8]
There is a wide variety of wildlife in South Carolina, including wild pigs, river otters, gray foxes, American alligators, gopher tortoises, and the white-tailed deer—the most known animal in the state.[6] The wolves, pumas, elk, and bison species disappeared from the region in the 1800s, and black bears have become scarce. There are over 300 species of birds recorded in the state. South Carolina’s forest primarily consists of loblolly pine and has live oaks, gums, and magnolia trees, though it is mainly known for the palmetto tree.[1] Over 67% of the state is covered in forests, making lumber the region’s most prominent natural resource. Wildflowers named after the state include Carolina petunia, phlox, desert-thorn, silverbell, and the Carolina Geranium.[6]
The first known peoples to settle the region currently known as South Carolina are estimated to have arrived sometime roughly 11,000-12,000 years ago. It wasn’t until the 16th century that the Europeans first contacted the 15,000-20,000 indigenous people living in the area. Three languages were spoken in the land: Siouan-spoken by the Catawba, Iroquoian-spoken by the Cherokee, and Muskogean-spoken by the Creek. The disappearance of the indigenous people is attributed to disease, conflict, and European expansion. Spanish explorers from Santo Domingo were the first Europeans to visit the land in 1521. Later, King Charles I ordered a charter to settle the Carolina colony, which was named after the king himself. The Europeans were the first to establish a permanent settlement in Albemarle Point in 1670 successfully. In 1729, Carolina was split into two provinces, south and north.[1] Soon after this event, more settlers came from Europe to grow rice and indigo on plantations, also bringing slaves from Africa to work on the farms.[6]
During the Antebellum period before the Civil War, the state’s economy grew from cotton production and the invention of the cotton gin. South Carolina was deemed one of the wealthiest colonies in America after the American Revolution.[9] The territory officially became a state on March 26, 1776, making it the eighth state in the new nation.[1] On December 20, 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the union before the Civil War started.[5] The Civil War officially began after Confederate troops fired the first shots at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, on April 12, 1861. The war took a heavy toll on South Carolina, which lost one-fifth of its white male population. The final hit came after General Sherman marched his troops through South Carolina, burning Columbia and many plantations along the way. The Confederacy lost the war, which shattered South Carolina’s economy as it was built on plantations, cotton, and slave labor.[9]
Even after the events of the American Civil War, South Carolina was one of the country's most resistant states to ideas related to the civil rights movement. One tragic event in South Carolina that led to the end of racial segregation was the Orangeburg Massacre that happened in 1968. During the Massacre, three African American students were killed by the police after an attempt to integrate a local bowling alley. At the same time, the economy still faced struggles but started to grow for the first time since the Civil War.[1] It wasn’t until the 20th century that South Carolina’s economy began to recover, starting with developing the textile industry. However, the state experienced extreme challenges during this era, especially after an insect, boll weevil, destroyed half of the cotton crop in 1922. Soon after the loss of the cotton crop, the Great Depression hit in 1929. As a result, a new emphasis was put on nonagricultural employment, which had exponential growth boosting the failing economy.[9]
Many companies have been founded in South Carolina, including Michelin, Denny’s, Schaeffler, and Sonoco.[10] Today, South Carolina’s economy is primarily driven by the textile industry and the expansion of tourism. The state has recently broken the population milestone of 5,000,000 people and is projected to increase at a slow, steady rate. South Carolina now has the fifth-highest African American residents in the nation, creating a more diverse culture.[2]
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