South Carolina lies between the Southern Appalachian foothills and the Atlantic Ocean. The Palmetto State is divided into three geographical areas: Upcountry (the higher hills along the Blue Ridge Mountains), the Piedmont (the center of the state) and the Low Country (along the coastal plain).
South Carolina's recorded history begins in the mid-1500s, when Europeans first arrived, though the area had been inhabited long before then—the Cherokee Nation and the Catawba Indians were prominent tribes. The French and Spanish were attracted to the coast of South Carolina in the 16th century, but early settlements in the Low Country failed. In 1670, the English established Charles Towne—known today as Charleston—as the capital city of Carolina.
By the early 1800s, South Carolina depended heavily on slave labor to power its plantations. As a result, the state was at the forefront of the dispute over slavery and state's rights issues from the 1830s until its secession from the Union late in 1860. The Civil War began the following year when the Confederates fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor. Over the next several years, Union general William Tecumseh Sherman inflicted heavy damage on South Carolina, making post-war recovery a slow process.
In the 20th century, large military bases have sparked development, and the state's gentle climate has fostered South Carolina's rise as a retirement and tourism area. Today, tourism is the state's largest industry, bringing in some US$15 billion per year.
South Carolina's major attractions include beaches, islands, swimming, resorts, golf, fishing, boating, U.S. history, Charleston, Hilton Head Island, Myrtle Beach, gardens, forests and beautiful historic homes.
Some 3,000 black slaves from South Carolina fought with the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War, having taken up arms in exchange for promises of freedom.
Many of South Carolina's fine old homes still have rice beds in the master bedrooms—the four posts were carved to look like stalks of rice, a crop that was important to the state's plantation economy.
With its well-preserved historic district and charming antebellum neighborhoods, Beaufort has been used as a backdrop for several movies, including The Big Chill, The Prince of Tides and Forrest Gump.
Throughout the state, you'll find the image of the pineapple worked into ornamental iron fences, pillars and woodwork. Though not grown in South Carolina, the fruit is a traditional symbol of old-style hospitality.
The nation's only tea plantation is located on Wadmalaw Island, just south of Charleston.
From July to October, through a state park hatchery-watch program, the public can watch loggerhead turtles hatch on Hunting Island beach and make their way to the ocean. Volunteers help the turtles by keeping predators out of their path.
Food Network celebrity chef Tyler Florence was born in Greenville and studied the culinary arts in Charleston.
Surfing is a very popular sport in the Grand Strand and Low Country coastal regions. South Carolina is one of only two states (the other is California) to host a Governor’s Cup of Surfing competition.
