Guide Note

South Carolina is a state on the southern east coast region of the United States. Bordered by North Carolina and Georgia, the state was one of the original thirteen colonies that declared independence during the American Revolution. Facing the Atlantic Ocean, the state is known for its beach towns, scenic driving routes, and golfing.

Fast Facts

1. Capital: Columbia
2. Governor: Mark Sanford (R)
3. Population: 4,321,249 (2006)
4. Ranked the 24th most populated state
5. Became state: May 23, 1788
6. Time Zone: EST
7. Earthquake prone
8. Largest earthquake was in 1886 at a 7.2 magnitude
9. Major cities: Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach
10. Official state items: Carolina or Yellow Jessamine (flower), Palmetto (tree), Striped Bass (fish), Amethyst (gem), Peach (fruit), Whitetail Deer (animal)

Parks, Monuments, Lakes

• • Overmountain Victory Historic Trail
  • Congaree National Park
  • Fort Moultrie National Monument
  • Fort Sumter National Monument
  • Lake Marion
  • Lake Strom Thurmond
  • Lake Moultrie

South Carolina Sports

There is no major professional teams that hail from South Carolina although there are numerous minor league and college sports teams. The Charleston Battery soccer team draws stadium appeal as does the Clemson University Tigers football team. What is most popular in South Carolina is NASCAR which races at the Darlington Raceway and golfing which takes over much of Myrtle Beach during PGA events.