State of the SE United States. It is bordered by North Carolina (N), the Atlantic Ocean (SE), and Georgia (SW).

Area, 31,055 sq mi (80,432 sq km).
Pop. (2000) 4,012,012, a 15.1% increase since the 1990 census.
Capital and largest city, Columbia. 
Mottos, Dum Spiro Spero [While I Breathe, I Hope] and Animis Opibusque Parati [Prepared in Mind and Resources].
State bird, Carolina wren.
State flower, Carolina jessamine.
State tree, palmetto.

South Carolina is roughly triangular in shape. The long, even coast lined with beautiful sand beaches on the “Grand Strand” north of Georgetown becomes generally marshy to the south and is sliced by a network of rivers and creeks, creating a maze of inlets and the famous Sea Islands . The coastal climate is humid subtropical, with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. In this area are found cypress swamps, moss-hung oaks, beautiful flowering gardens, antebellum plantations, and the historic seaports of Georgetown, Beaufort, and Charleston, the latter a major tourist attraction and one of the chief ports of entry in the Southeast.

Vacationers are attracted to Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand, to the Sea Island resorts, and to Charleston's stately homes and gardens. The state's historical places of interest include Fort Sumter National Monument, Kings Mountain National Military Park, and Cowpens National Battlefield. Columbia is the capital and the largest city; Charleston and Greenville are other major cities. Mount Pleasant is located just across the Cooper River from historic Charleston via the new impressive Ravenel bridge. With a recent growth spurt, Mount Pleasant offers a wealth of new homes, schools, shopping centers, fine dining, and just minutes to area beaches and the airport. With its population of 60,000, Mount Pleasant is now the sixth largest town in the state.

The Charleston area offers some of the finest medical centers to be found anywhere with a major medical university. The area offers waterways and water sports of every description including deep sea fishing, kayaking, inland fishing, crabbing, and shrimping. Golf and tennis are available in both public and private amenity centers. Military bases and nuclear facilities are important to the economy, and the tourist industry today ranks as the state's chief source of income.

*Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, Copyright (c) 2003.