South Carolina

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State in eastern USA, bordered to the north and northeast by North Carolina, to the south and west by Georgia, and to the southeast by the Atlantic Ocean; area 77,982 sq km/30,109 sq mi; population (2000) 4,012,012; capital and largest city Columbia. South Carolina is the smallest state of the Deep South region, and is roughly triangular in shape, with the Savannah River forming much of the state boundary with Georgia. The Blue Ridge Mountains rise in the northwest, and there are numerous sea islands along the subtropical coastline. Service industries, particularly tourism, form the basis of South Carolina's economy, but farming, fishing, wood processing, and the manufacture of chemicals and textiles are also important. The state is a leading producer of tobacco in the USA. Columbia is situated in the central industrial heartland. Other major cities include the seaport of Charleston, and the former textile centres of Greenville and Spartanburg in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Settled as an English colony from 1670, the name Carolina derives from the Latin for Charles, after King Charles I; South was added when the colony was divided into north and south in 1712. One of the original Thirteen Colonies, South Carolina was also one of the original US plantation states, associated with slavery. South Carolina's first constitution was drafted in 1776, and it was admitted to the Union in 1788, becoming the 8th state.

A condor, poised to attack enemies, protects the nation under its wings. Blue symbolizes independence from Spain. Yellow recalls the Federation of Greater Colombia. Red stands for courage. Effective date: 7 November 1900. >>