pop (2000e) 4 012 000; area 80 580 km²/31 113 sq mi. State in SE USA, divided into 46 counties; the Palmetto State; settled by the French at Port Royal, 1562; included in the Carolina grant in 1663, but returned to the Crown in 1729; brought under American control after the battle of Guilford Courthouse, 1781; eighth of the original 13 states to ratify the Constitution, 1788; the first state to secede from the Union, 1860; Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter 12 Apr 1861, starting the Civil War; slavery abolished, 1865; re-admitted to the Union, 1868; capital, Columbia; other chief cities, Charleston, Greenville, Spartanburg; bounded E and SE by the Atlantic Ocean; rivers include the Pee Dee, Edisto, Savannah (forms most of Georgia border), Wateree, and Congaree, the latter two joining to form the Santee; Blue Ridge Mts in the extreme NW; highest point Mt Sassafras (1085 m/3560 ft); flat and (in the S) swampy coastland, cut by numerous rivers and creeks to form the Sea Islands, a major tourist centre; ground rises inland towards the rolling Piedmont, the agricultural and manufacturing centre; reservoirs at L Murray, L Marion, and L Moultrie; textiles and clothing, using the large cotton crop; lumber, chemicals, machinery, foodstuffs; tobacco, soybeans, poultry, cattle, dairy products, peaches, peanuts, sweet potatoes, corn; fishing.
State of South Carolina
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| Official language(s) | English | ||||||||||
| Capital |
Charleston(1670-1789) Columbia(1790-present) |
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| Largest city | Columbia | ||||||||||
| Largest metro area | Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson | ||||||||||
| Area | Ranked 40th | ||||||||||
| - Total |
34,726 sq mi (82,965 km²) |
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| - Width | 200 miles (320 km) | ||||||||||
| - Length | 260 miles (420 km) | ||||||||||
| - % water | 6 | ||||||||||
| - Latitude | 32°4'30"N to 35°12'N | ||||||||||
| - Longitude | 78°0'30"W to 83°20'W | ||||||||||
| Population | Ranked 26th | ||||||||||
| - Total (2000) | 4,012,012 | ||||||||||
| - Density |
133.2/sq mi 51.45/km² (21st) |
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| Elevation | |||||||||||
| - Highest point |
Sassafras Mountain 3,560 ft (1,085 m) |
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| - Mean | 350 ft (110 m) | ||||||||||
| - Lowest point |
Atlantic Ocean 0 ft (0 m) |
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| Admission to Union | May 23, 1788 (8th) | ||||||||||
| Governor | Mark Sanford (R) | ||||||||||
| U.S. Senators |
Lindsey Graham (R) Jim DeMint (R) |
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| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 | ||||||||||
| Abbreviations | SC US-SC | ||||||||||
| Web site | www.sc.gov | ||||||||||
South Carolina is a state in the Southern region of the United States. The Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution. It was the first state to secede from the Union to found the Confederate States of America.
South Carolina Nicknames
The Palmetto State Cackalacky or South Cackalacky The Prostrate State (during Radical Republican rule of the state from 1868–1877)Geography
South Carolina is bounded to the north by North Carolina; to the south and west by Georgia, located across the Savannah River;
South Carolina is composed of four geographic areas, whose boundaries roughly parallel the northeast/southwest Atlantic coastline. An unusual feature of the coastal plain is a large number of Carolina bays, the origins of which are uncertain, though one prominent theory suggests that they were created by a meteor shower.
Highest in elevation is the Upstate, containing an escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which continue into North Carolina and Georgia, as part of the southern Appalachian chain. Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina's highest point at 3,560 feet (1,085 m) is located in this area. Also located in the Upcountry is Table Rock State Park and Caesar's Head State Park. The Chattooga River, located on the border between South Carolina and Georgia, is a favorite whitewater rafting destination. Pleasant Congaree National Park in Hopkins Cowpens National Battlefield near Chesnee, Fort Moultrie National Monument at Sullivan’s Island Fort Sumter National Monument in Charleston Harbor Kings Mountain National Military Park at Blacksburg Ninety Six National Historic Site in Ninety Six Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
See: List of South Carolina counties.
Climate
South Carolina has a humid subtropical climate, although high elevation areas in the "Upstate" area have less subtropical characteristics than areas on the Atlantic coastline. In the summer, South Carolina is hot and humid with daytime temperatures averaging around 90 °F in most of the state and overnight lows over 70 °F on the coast and close to °70 F further inland. Winter temperatures are much less uniform in South Carolina. Coastal areas of the state have very mild winters with high temperatures approaching an average of 60 °F and an overnight low of over 40 °F.
Snowfall in South Carolina is not very excessive with coastal areas receiving less than an inch on average. The interior receives a little more snow, although nowhere in the state averages more than 6 inches a year.
The state is prone to tropical cyclones and it is a yearly concern during hurricane season which is from June-November, although the peak time of vulnerability for the southeast Atlantic coast is from late August to October when the Cape Verde hurricane season lasts. South Carolina averages around 50 days of thunderstorm activity a year, which is less than some of the states further south and is slightly less vulnerable to tornadoes than the states which border on the Gulf of Mexico. Still, some notable tornadoes have struck South Carolina and the state averages around 14 tornadoes annually.
History
Main article: History of South Carolina
The colony of Carolina was settled by English settlers, mostly from Barbados, sent by the Lords Proprietors in 1670, followed by French Huguenots. The Carolina upcountry was settled largely by Scotch-Irish migrants from Pennsylvania and Virginia, following the Great Wagon Road. North Carolina was split off in 1712. Carolina became a royal colony in 1729. On February 5, 1778, South Carolina became the first state to ratify the first constitution of the United States, the Articles of Confederation. South Carolina became the 8th state on May 23, 1788.
South Carolina was the first state to secede from the United States on December 20, 1860 towards forming the Confederate States of America.
After the American Civil War, South Carolina was reincorporated into the United States during Reconstruction.
In the 20th century, South Carolina developed a thriving textile industry.
Demographics
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2005, South Carolina has an estimated population of 4,255,083, which is an increase of 57,191, or 1.4%, from the prior year and an increase of 243,267, or 6.1%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 97,715 people (that is 295,425 births minus 197,710 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 151,485 people into the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 36,401 people, and migration within the country produced a net increase of 115,084 people.
| Demographics of South Carolina (csv) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By race | White | Black | AIAN | Asian | NHPI |
| AIAN is American Indian or Alaskan Native NHPI is Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | |||||
| 2000 (total population) | 68.88% | 30.01% | 0.69% | 1.13% | 0.10% |
| 2000 (hispanic only) | 2.05% | 0.26% | 0.05% | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| 2005 (total population) | 69.12% | 29.68% | 0.69% | 1.31% | 0.10% |
| 2005 (hispanic only) | 2.95% | 0.27% | 0.06% | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Growth 2000-2005 (total population) | 6.43% | 4.89% | 6.09% | 23.49% | 13.76% |
| Growth 2000-2005 (non-hispanic only) | 5.01% | 4.87% | 4.61% | 23.16% | 10.36% |
| Growth 2000-2005 (hispanic only) | 52.78% | 7.64% | 23.97% | 34.25% | 26.89% |
The five largest ancestry groups in South Carolina are African American (29.5%), American (13.9%), German (8.4%), English (8.4%), Irish (7.9%).
For most of its history, black slaves made up a majority of South Carolina's population.
6.6% of South Carolina's population were reported as under 5 years old, 25.2% under 18, and 12.1% were 65 or older.
Religion
South Carolina, like most other Southern states, is overwhelmingly Protestant Christian, and has a significantly lower percentage of non-religious people than the national average. The religious affiliations of the people of South Carolina are as follows:
Christian – 92% Protestant – 84% Baptist – 45% Methodist – 15% Presbyterian – 5% Other Protestant – 19% Roman Catholic – 7% Other Christian – 1% Other Religions – 1% Non-Religious – 7%Economy
As of 2004, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, South Carolina’s gross state product was $136 billion.
Major agricultural outputs of the state are: tobacco, poultry, cattle, dairy products, soybeans, and hogs.
The state sales tax is 5%. Property tax is administered and collected by local governments with assistance from the South Carolina Department of Revenue. The passage of a recent state law will replace local property tax funding of education with a statewide 1% sales tax increase. South Carolina imposes a casual excise tax of 5% on the fair market value of all motor vehicles, motorcycles, boats, motors and airplanes transferred between individuals. In South Carolina, intangible personal property is exempt from taxation.
Even though the State of South Carolina does not allow legalized casino gambling, it did allow the operation of Video Poker Machines throughout the state with approximately $2 billion dollars per year deposited into the state's coffers. However, at Midnight on July 1, 2000 a new law took effect which outlawed the operation, ownership and possession of Video Poker Machines in the state with machines required to be shut-off at that time and removed from within the state's borders by July 8th or owners of such machines would face criminal prosecution.
Transportation
Major interstate highways passing through the state include: I-20 which runs from Florence in the east through Columbia to the southwestern border near Aiken;
Law and government
South Carolina's state government consists of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. The bicameral South Carolina General Assembly consists of the 46-member Senate and the 124-member House of Representatives. The two bodies meet in the South Carolina State House.
See also: List of Governors of South Carolina
Judicial branch
The Family Court deals with all matters of domestic and family relationships, as well as generally maintaining exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving minors under the age of seventeen, excepting traffic and game law violations.
The Circuit Court is the general jurisdiction court for South Carolina, comprised of the Civil Court, the Court of Common Pleas, and the Court of General Sessions, which is the criminal court.
The Court of Appeals handles Circuit Court and Family Court appeals, excepting appeals that are within the seven classes of exclusive Supreme Court jurisdiction.
The Supreme Court is South Carolina's highest court.
Law Enforcement Agencies
South Carolina Department of Public Safety South Carolina Department of Corrections South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services South Carolina Highway Patrol Division South Carolina State Transport Police Division South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy Division South Carolina Bureau of Protective Services South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division - Investigations &Education
See List of colleges and universities in South Carolina USC, University of South Carolina Bob Jones University Benedict College Erskine College Clemson University Coastal Carolina University Lander University The Citadel Wofford College Francis Marion University Furman University Winthrop University Presbyterian College College of Charleston Charleston School of Law Charleston Southern University Columbia College Converse College Anderson University Southern Wesleyan University North Greenville University Limestone College South Carolina State UniversitySports in South Carolina
South Carolina has no major professional franchise of the NFL, NHL, NBA, or MLB located in the state, however the NFL's Carolina Panthers played their first season in Clemson, SC. Clemson University's Tigers and the University of South Carolina's Gamecocks regularly have more than 80,000 people at the respected schools home football games. University of South Carolina fans are regarded nationally as the best fans in the nation due to the great support of a historically lackluster football program. Smaller Universities located in South Carolina also have very competitive sports programs, those include Furman, Coastal Carolina, Wofford, College of Charleston, Winthrop, and SC State. South Carolina does have several minor league professional teams that play baseball, hockey, and other sports in the state. NASCAR racing was born in the south, and South Carolina has in the past hosted some very important NASCAR races, mainly at the Darlington Raceway. South Carolina is known as a Golfing Paradise. The upstate of South Carolina also has many nice golf courses, most of the nicer courses are private including the Cliff's courses and Cross Creek Plantation (the Cliff's courses host the annual BMW PRO/AM that brings many celebrities and professionals to South Carolina. Water Sports are also an extremely popular activity in South Carolina. With a large coast line, South Carolina has many different beach activities such as Surfing, Boogie Boarding, Deep Sea Fishing, and Shrimping. The Upstate of South Carolina also offer outstanding water activities. While there are no race tracks with betting in South Carolina there is significant horse training activity. Charleston, South Carolina however, has a NIFL team, named the Charleston Sandsharks.Miscellaneous topics
Famous people from South Carolina
Bill Anderson -- born James William Anderson III on November 1, 1937 in Columbia -- is an American country music singer and songwriter, nicknamed "Whisperin' Bill." Charlotta Bass born in Sumter, South Carolina. Byrnes(May 2, 1879 – April 9, 1972) born in Charleston, Secretary of State under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, also served as Governor of South Carolina and as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. All his novels have been set in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Reverend Gary Davis (Apr 30, 1896 - May 5, 1972), blues and gospel songwriter and innovative guitarist, born in Clinton, South Carolina. Andy Dick, born in Charleston, South Carolina, actor and comedian best known for his roles on TV sitcoms, including NewsRadio, Less Than Perfect, as well as appearing on numerous comedy programs such as the Comedy Central Roasts Larry Doby, only the second African-American baseball player to play in the Major Leagues, born in Camden, South Carolina Joe Frazier, 1964 Olympic heavyweight champion and the world heavyweight champ 1970-73, Frazier fought Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight title three times. Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), President of the United States born near Lancaster but immigrated to Tennessee as an adult. Roger "Rocky" McIntosh, an NFL player from Gaffney Kerry Mullis Mullis was born in Lenoir, North Carolina, and grew up in Columbia, South Carolina where he attended Dreher High School. Mary-Louise Parker, actress born in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, best-known works include Fried Green Tomatoes, Boys on the Side, Proof, The West Wing, Angels in America, and her current role on Showtime's Weeds. She was from Manning, South Carolina. Jordan was born in Charleston and holds an undergraduate degree in physics from The Citadel, the military college of South Carolina. South Carolina governor from 1947–1951, and in 1954 became the first and only United States Senator elected by a write-in vote. Josh Turner (born November 20, 1977 in Hannah, South Carolina) is an American country music singer. Shawn Weatherly was Miss Universe 1980, the second woman from South Carolina and fifth from the U.S. to win the title. William Westmoreland -- (born Spartanburg County, March 26, 1914 – July 18, 2005) was at one point commander of all United States ground forces in Vietnam and was also Chief of Staff of the United States Army.Alcohol laws
South Carolina is one of few states that still adhere to blue laws, one of which disallows the sale of alcohol on Sunday.
It is illegal in South Carolina to be 'grossly intoxicated' in public. Porgy Comes Home: South Carolina After 300 Years,. South Carolina: A History, , USC Press, 1998. A South Carolina Chronology, 1497-1992, 2nd Ed.,. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, 1994. South Carolina: A Short History, 1520-1948 (1951) ISBN 0-87249-079-3 WPA. South Carolina: A Guide to the Palmetto State (1941) ASIN B000HM05WE Wright, Louis B. South Carolina: A Bicentennial History' (1977) ISBN 0-393-05560-4
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