SOUTH CAROLINA (USA)

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The small state of South Carolina is dominated by agriculture, with rolling hills and fertile farmland making up the interior and attractive plantations along the coast. The flat plains and the undulating pastoral landscapes hold little of interest for the visitor; the South Carolina coast is the true jewel of the state and has most of the attractions.

South Carolina, The Upcountry - Looming majestically beyond the low soft hills of the Piedmont, the Blue Ridge escarpment thrills the soul of the mountain lover. The Cherokees called these heights "the Great Blue Hills of God." The stream-laced foothills and rugged mountains of the Blue Ridge have helped shape the development of the state's most economically and geographically diverse region. Today the Blue Ridge provides a naturally beautiful backdrop for area attractions.

South Carolina, Olde English District - Named for the English settlement in the mid-1700s as well as the Revolutionary War battles fought here, this seven-county region is deeply rooted in English traditions. Horse enthusiasts enjoy steeplechase and flat racing amid socializing and tailgate picnics during two celebrated events in Camden. Exhibits at the National Steeplechase Museum at Springdale Race Course offer another pastime.

South Carolina, Old 96 District - Old 96 is an area of living history, gracious towns, deep woodlands, open country and a sportsman's paradise. The Savannah River, impounded in a series of lakes, forms the "Freshwater Coast," both the state's and the district's western border. Along this stretch of lakes and state parks sportsmen will find plenty avenues for fishing, hunting, golf and other outdoor activities.

South Carolina, Capital City/Lake Murray Country - Experience the southern hospitality of this four county region. Discover historical southern homes, state museums, challenging golf courses, and the nationally acclaimed Riverbanks Zoo . Outdoor recreation abounds - Lake Murray is a haven for all types of water-related fun, canoe three rivers, or through the Congaree National Park . Experience small town charm in Saluda and Newberry and don't miss the Newberry Opera House .

South Carolina, Pee Dee Country - Steeped in romance and history; a land of scenic beauty and adventure - the Pee Dee area was originally home to the Pee Dee Indians who lived and hunted in its broad valley. Avid sportsmen are still drawn to the area's fields and streams, where wildlife is plentiful and various species of fish thrive. The Great Pee Dee is just one of the rivers that meanders through the area providing a scenic backdrop for canoeing, picnicking and other types of recreation. Touring the seven-county region, one is quickly reminded of its roots as a commercial center for cotton and tobacco.

South Carolina, Thoroughbred Country - This is horse and rider heaven, a land of mild winters, fresh pine-scented autumns, and unsurpassed spring gardens. Famed as a winter resort for some of America's wealthiest families, it was not uncommon for socialites with names such as Goodyear, Whitney, Astor and Vanderbilt to have homes in the town of Aiken. Three Winter Colony Historic Districts - 90 room "cottages," unpaved roads with equestrian stoplights, beautiful gardens and a restored late 19th-century inn - recall the town's golden era as a resort for society.

South Carolina, Santee Cooper Country - Lakes Marion and Moultrie are at the heart of Santee Cooper Country, one of the state's most celebrated sports and recreational sites. More than 171,000 acres of water fill the basin comprising the lakes, supporting such species as striped bass, crappie, bream, catfish and largemouth bass. Marshes and fields teem with game birds and wildlife. Gardens brimming with flowers blanket the area - majestic swans glide the waters at Sumter's Iris Gardens , banks of roses are showcased during the annual Festival of Roses at Edisto Memorial Garden in Orangeburg, and a butterfly house and freshwater aquarium can be found at Cypress Garden near Monck's Corner. Golf rivals fishing as the area's best lure and many accommodations offer attractively priced package plans throughout the year.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina & the Grand Strand - For decades, South Carolina's Grand Strand has been a mecca for vacationers and retirees looking for that great escape. Stretching for more than 60 miles along the Atlantic Coast, this string of beach resorts includes such ocean-side communities as Myrtle Beach, considered the Strand's hub, Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, North Myrtle Beach, Atlantic Beach, Surfside, Litchfield, Pawleys Island, and Georgetown. Each year millions are drawn to the Grand Strand and Myrtle Beach for swimming, sunning, boating, shelling and golfing on many of the 100 golf courses located in these areas.

Historic Charleston, South Carolina - So genteel and gracious, it's no wonder Charleston, South Carolina has consistently ranked among the country's most elegant and mannerly cities. Founded in 1670, the port city has suffered great fires, earthquakes, pirates, a civil war and a hurricane, and weathered them all with grace and dignity. Charleston today boasts 73 pre-Revolutionary buildings - 136 from the late 18th century and more than 600 others built prior to the 1840s. Visitors can wander cobblestone streets lined with antique shops and boutiques, browse the Old City Market where Gullah basket ladies are among the vendors that peddle their wares, and peek at private gardens tucked serenely behind iron gates. House museums and monuments to wealthy Colonial merchants are open to visitors, as are the plantations and gardens that line the Ashley River.

South Carolina, Lowcountry & Resort Islands - Hauntingly beautiful is perhaps the best way to describe South Carolina's Lowcountry and Resort Islands. Miles of white beaches washed clean by the tide - free of tracks except those left by a hermit crab or sea turtle, endless marshes alive with the calls of birds and rustling flight, and trees laden with Spanish moss add to its ethereal setting. It is this ambiance that annually draws thousands to Hilton Head Island , the region's most popular world-class resort. Hilton Head's recreational facilities include hundreds of tennis courts and over two dozen championship golf courses , one of which annually hosts the nationally televised golf tournament, The Heritage .

South Carolina, nicknamed the 'palmetto state',  has a rich history that is documented in the beautiful historic district of Charleston, Civil War sites, including Fort Sumter in Charleston harbour, and the restored plantation estates. In the 1800's the state depended heavily on slave labour to work the plantations, and as a result was the first state to secede from the Union and was a leader in the dispute over slavery.