South Carolina

South Carolina is a state in the coastal Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by North Carolina to the north, Georgia to the southwest, and the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast to the southeast. South Carolina is the 40th most extensive and 23rd most populous U.S. state with a recorded population of 5,124,712 according to the 2020 census. Its GDP was $213.45 million in 2019. South Carolina is made up of 46 counties. Columbia is the capital with a population estimate of 137,300. Charleston is the largest city with a population estimate of 150,277 in 2020. The Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson metropolitan area is the most populous in the state, with a 2020 population estimate of 1,455,892.

South Carolina was named in honor of King Charles I of England, who first formed the English colony, with Carolus being Latin for “Charles”. In 1712 the Province of South Carolina was formed. One of the original Thirteen Colonies, South Carolina became a royal colony in 1719. South Carolina was a major hub of activity during the American Revolutionary War. There were more than 200 battles, skirmishes, and other activities within the state. South Carolina ratified the U.S. Constitution May 23, 1788. It was a slave state and the first state to vote for secession from the Union in December 20,1860. After the American Civil War, it was readmitted into the United States on July 9, 1868. The state saw economic progress in the early-to mid 20th century as many textile mills were built throughout the state. The civil rights movement in the mid-20th century helped end segregation and legal discrimination within the state. In the decades following World War II, South Carolina’s economic diversification accelerated. In the early 21st century, South Carolina’s economy is based on industries such as aerospace, agribusiness, automotive manufacturing, and tourism.