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CAPITAL CITY: Columbia

BACKGROUND

South Carolina is the southern portion of the original 1629 land grant made by England's King Charles I, which was named in his honor (Carolus is Latin for Charles). Settled by the English in 1670, South Carolina was based on a plantation culture with an aristocratic, wealthy society that was dependent on black slave labor. One of the original 13 colonies, South Carolina was first formed in 1729 when the Carolina colony was divided in two to form North and South Carolina. The attack on Fort Sumter in the Charleston harbor launched the Civil War. Today, South Carolina is a growing research center and banking state. South Carolina has retained many features of the South of pre-Civil War days.

Map showing the location of South Carolina

Graceful buildings, erected before the war, stand in Charleston, Beaufort and other cities. Large plantations, which were once the backbone of the South's economy, still remain in parts of South Carolina. The state's mountains, seashores and historic sites make the state an ideal vacationland.

QUICK FACTS

The great seal of the state of South Carolina

The great seal of the state of South Carolina

Nickname: Palmetto State

Mottoes: Animis Opibusque Parati (Prepared in Soul and Resources)
Dum Spiro Spero (While I breathe, I hope)

Statehood: May 23, 1788 (8th)

Origin of State's Name: Taken from"Carolus," the Latin word for Charles and named after England's King Charles I

Largest Cities: Columbia, Charleston, North Charleston, Greenville, Spartanburg

Border States: Georgia, North Carolina

Land Area: 30,111 sq. mi., 40th largest

State Bird: Great Carolina Wren

State Flower: Yellow Jessamine (gelsemium sempervirens)

State Tree: Cabbage Palmetto (sabal palmetto)

State Song: Carolina

USEFUL LINKS

Miscellaneous

Travel and tourism site for South Carolina - This state travel and territorial tourism site provides ideas for your vacations, meetings, and more.