Introduction - South Carolina
Bordered by North Carolina, Georgia and the Atlantic Ocean, the state of South Carolina is in the heart of the southeast region of the United States. What used to be a primarily agricultural state has evolved into a popular location for mills and manufacturing. Including the American Revolution and the American Civil War, South Carolina has seen more than its share of battles. In fact, Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, is where the very first battle of the Civil took place. Those interested in history will find many forts and battlefields throughout the state, as well as the USS Yorktown in Charleston Harbor, and a kid favorite, the South Carolina Aquarium. In the lists of facts below you will discover why the Black River Swamp Preserve has tea-colored water, when South Carolina became a state, and other interesting information about this fascinating Southeastern state.Click here for a great selection of Amazon.com books about South Carolina.
South Carolina Quick Facts
- South Carolina was the 8th state to join the union.
- South Carolina officially became a state on May 23, 1788.
- With just 31,113 square miles (80,582 square kilometers), South Carolina ranks 40th in size out of all 50 states.
- The state capital of South Carolina is Columbia which is also the largest city in the state.
- The population of South Carolina is 4,774,839 (source 2013 United States Census Bureau estimate).
- South Carolina ranks as the 24th most populous state in the US (source 2013 United States Census Bureau estimate).
- Since 1924, the state flower of South Carolina has been the Gelsemium sempervirens.
- The nickname of South Carolina is the Palmetto State.
- There are 46 counties in South Carolina.
- The name for residents of this state is South Carolinians.
- There are three main rivers in South Carolina which are the Savannah River, Antee River, and Edisto River as well as several lakes including Lake Moultrie, Lake Marion, Hartwell Lake, and Lake Murray.
- Since 1911, the state song has been "Carolina".
South Carolina Interesting Facts
- Contrary to what you might think, South Carolina ranks higher in terms of annual peach production than Georgia. In fact, it produces and ships the most peaches of any state east of the Mississippi.
- In South Carolina's Black River Swamp Preserve, the water moves so slowly that is actually appears to stand still. It is also stained a dark tea color because of its naturally high organic carbon production.
- Before becoming known more commonly as the Palmetto state, South Carolina was known as the Iodine state and residents even had the title on S.C. license plates. The state got the nickname because of the high concentration of iodine found in fruits and vegetables in the state.
- Spartanburg, South Carolina is home to Duncan Park Baseball Stadium, the oldest minor league stadium in the country.
South Carolina Historical Facts
- Up until 1712 North and South Carolina made up one colony called Carolina. The English colony drew settlers throughout Europe who saw that profitable crops could be grown there. Due to cultural differences the Carolinas officially and legally split in 1712.
- By 1720 African slaves who were brought over to work on the plantations made up the majority of the states population.
- One hundred and thirty-seven battles were fought in South Carolina during the Revolutionary War.
- In 1860, During the Civil War, South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union. Eventually ten other states followed to create the Confederate States of America.