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South Carolina (/ ˌ k ær ə ˈ l aɪ n ə / ⓘ KARR-ə-LY-nə) is a state in the coastal Southeastern region of the United States. It borders North Carolina to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and Georgia to the southwest across the Savannah River .
- Overview
- Relief
- Drainage and soils
- Climate
South Carolina, constituent state of the United States of America, one of the 13 original colonies. It lies on the southern Eastern Seaboard of the United States. Shaped like an inverted triangle with an east-west base of 285 miles (459 km) and a north-south extent of about 225 miles (360 km), the state is bounded on the north by North Carolina, on the southeast by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the southwest by Georgia. Columbia, located in the centre of the state, is the capital and largest city.
Settled by the English in 1670, South Carolina had a wealthy, aristocratic, and influential colonial society based on a plantation agriculture that relied on a labour force of Black slaves. By 1730 people of African ancestry had come to represent some two-thirds of the colony’s total population. The plantation system spread from the coastal lowlands into the rolling inland region in the early 19th century, and the new state became part of the Cotton Belt that stretched across the South. The American Civil War (1861–65) shattered South Carolina’s economy and influence, and for a century thereafter the state suffered economic, social, and political turmoil. The mid-20th century brought major changes, however, as South Carolina’s economy industrialized, its metropolitan areas grew, and the civil rights movement swept across the state. Area 32,020 square miles (82,933 square km). Population (2020) 5,118,425; (2023 est.) 5,373,555.
South Carolina can be divided geologically into three separate provinces. The Blue Ridge Mountain province dominates the northwestern corner of the state, covering about 2 percent of the state’s area; the highest point in South Carolina, Sassafras Mountain, rises on a crest in this region to an elevation of 3,560 feet (1,085 metres). The worn, undulating relief of the Piedmont province, with an elevation ranging from about 300 to about 1,200 feet (90 to 365 metres), stretches from the mountains southeastward to the midlands around Columbia; it constitutes nearly one-third of the state. At the edge of the Piedmont lie the Sandhills, which run diagonally across the centre of the state from northeast to southwest. The Coastal Plain province comprises the southern and eastern thirds of the state, and its elevation varies from sea level to about 300 feet (90 metres). The region is slightly rolling near the midlands and flat toward the coast. Its 187-mile (300-km) coastline consists of the Grand Strand, an unbroken beach stretching from the North Carolina border southward for more than 100 miles (160 km) before giving way to the tidal and freshwater marshes of the Sea Islands, which extend into Georgia.
Two major geographic boundaries separate North Carolina’s provinces. The fall line, where rivers form major rapids, divides the sedimentary rocks of the Coastal Plain from the metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont. The Piedmont, in turn, is separated from the Blue Ridge province by a fault line known as the Brevard Zone.
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South Carolina’s rivers flow generally from northwest to southeast. Three major systems drain about four-fifths of the state’s area: the Pee Dee drains the northeast, the Santee and its tributaries cover much of the Piedmont (as part of the larger Santee-Wataree-Catawba system), and the Savannah, on the western border, drains portions of both the Coastal and Piedmont regions. The Ashley-Combahee-Edisto system comprises the short rivers that form near the Sandhills and flow across the Coastal Plain. Carrying little sediment, their waters are blackened by tannic acid from the swamps along their courses. South Carolina has no large natural lakes; those on the Savannah River and Santee tributaries resulted from hydroelectric development in the 20th century. On the Coastal Plain are hundreds of elliptically shaped depressions of varying sizes typified by swamp vegetation and standing water in the centre. The formation of these so-called Carolina bays remains a mystery; some geographers have attributed them to the impact of a comet or meteor.
Although South Carolina has more than 300 types of soils, the land is generally infertile and must be enriched with nutrients for successful cultivation. The poorly developed Blue Ridge soils lack clay accumulation beneath the surface, which renders them unsuited to farming. In the Piedmont province the reddish soils are clayey, with noticeable deposits of calcium, magnesium, and potassium. However, more than 200 years of cotton and corn (maize) cultivation has contributed to severe soil erosion. Soils in the Coastal Plain are generally formed from marine deposits of sand, clay, and limestone over granite and other crystalline substances.
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South Carolina’s climate is subtropical, with hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. Average July temperatures range from the low 70s F (low 20s C) in the highland northwest to the low 80s F (upper 20s C) in the midlands and along the coast. Average winter temperatures vary from about 38 °F (3 °C) in the mountains and about 45 °F (7 °C) in ...
Jan 18, 2024 · Learn about the geography, counties, and major cities of South Carolina, a state in the southeastern United States. Explore maps of its regions, islands, rivers, lakes, and more.
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- State of South Carolina
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- Charleston. South Carolina’s historic coastal city, Charleston, is the quintessential Southern town. This waterfront city feels almost lost in time. We love its cobblestone streets downtown, palms and oaks blanketed in Spanish moss, and historic architecture with still-standing shops, museums, plantations, and churches hearkening to a long-past time.
- Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach is the hotspot beach tourist destination in South Carolina. This massive stretch of shoreline draws 19+ million visitors each year to engage in sandy, saltwater fun at the beach and enjoy the huge range of activities on the boardwalk and promenade.
- Columbia. Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, is one of the best places to visit in the state with so many attractions to take in and plenty of great places to eat, drink, and immerse yourself in the Lowcountry culture.
- Hilton Head Island. If you’re looking for some seaside fun without the big crowds of Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island should be on your list. This quiet and serene island town has a refined coastal village feel and still offers plenty of fun attractions and activities that are kid-friendly.
Venture beyond the landmark attractions of South Carolina, discover off-the-beaten-path destinations and get inspired for your next Palmetto State adventure with the 2024 Vacation Guide. Learn More.
Aug 24, 2022 · From stunning waterfalls to the Sky Wheel on Myrtle Beach (and even a few haunted spots for the more courageous traveler), there are plenty of places to visit in South Carolina.
Apr 3, 2023 · South Carolina is one of the best and most famous tourist destinations in the United States. Its biggest city, Charleston, is known worldwide for its history, beaches, and incredible food.
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