SOUTH CAROLINA FROM A TO Z

A IS FOR AGRICULTURE & ARCHEOLOGY

• Information about AGRICULTURE is provided the The South Carolina Department of Agriculture. The major agricultural products are tobacco, poultry, cattle, dairy products, soybeans,and hogs. The state fruit is the peach, the State Beverage is milk, and the State Hospitality Beverage is tea.. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a kids page. The State Soil is Lynchburg. South Carolina has 4-H Clubs and Future Farmers of America groups. The National Agriculture Statistic Service has agriculture information, games, & puzzles. AG in the Classroom has a special kids page.

• South Carolina celebrates ARCHEOLOGY Month and has archaeology and paleontology events. The Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site is an archaeological treasure. The Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site was the first successful English settlement in the Carolinas. The state protects archeological sites.

• South Carolina has 287 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean with many BEACHES. The coastal waters are teeming with seashells. A top tourist attaction is Myrtle Beach. One of the oldest beach resorts in the country is Pawley's Island

• Many species of BIRDS are found throughout South Carolina. Birdwatching is popular and there are many Birding Sites. The State Bird is the Carolina Wren. The state Game Bird is the Wild Turkey. Some birds are endangered.

• South Carolina has many BRIDGES. Some are on the National Register of Historic Places. There are Suspension Bridges, and Covered Bridges. The oldest covered bridge is Campbell's. Bethune has the only bridge in the world that crosses the same river 3 times and the river does not fork.

• Columbia is the CAPITAL of South Carolina and was founded in 1786 and is centrally located in the state. The name is derived from the name Christopher Columbus. It was one of the first planned cities in the country. Johnston is known as the Peach Capital of the World.

• All forms of COMMUNICATIONS are available throughout South Carolina including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and telephone The state has 3 telephone area codes - 803, 843, and 864. There are many Web Cams , and Internet service is available throughout the state.

• South Carolina has 46 COUNTIES. The largest county in population is Greenville. The largest in land is Horry. The largest in area (land & water) is Berkley. The smallest in area & population is McCormick. The term county is the level of local government below the state itself.

• South Carolina has many small DAMS. The Hartwell Dam was built for the purposes of flood control, navigation, and hydroelectric power. The Saluda Dam also provides hydroelectric power and created the world's largest manmade lake - Lake Murray. The state has a Dam Safety Program. Alternate forms of energy are being investigated including Solar Power and Wind Power.

• The State Dance is the Carolina Shag. The State Folk Dance is the Square Dance. The State Waltz is The Richardson Waltz. The Columbia City Ballet is the oldest dance company in the state.

• South Carolina does not have a State Dinosaur but fossils of dinosaurs have been found in the state. The most common fossils found on beaches are sharks teeth.

• South Carolina experiences EARTHQUAKES. The largest EARTHQUAKE occurred in 1886. The most recent was in 2007. The USGS provides information about earthquakes in the state.

• The South Carolina Department of EDUCATION oversees public education in South Carolina. It is provided free and is mandatory for any child age 5 thru 17. The State also has private schools that are required to comply with state standards and regulations. Information about schools is available from GreatSchools and SchoolBug.

• A variety of EVENTS are held throughout South Carolina during the year including festivals, fairs, and arts & craft shows. There are State Fair and County Fairs. Batesburg-Leesville has an annual Poultry Festival. The Mighty Moo Festival honors the USS Cowpens. Summerville hosts the largest Arts and Craft Show in South Carolina. The South Carolina Apple Festival celebrates the beginning of apple harvest season in Oconee County. The state observes State & Federal Holidays.

• Many species of FISH are found in lakes, & rivers of South Carolina, and fishing is a popular activity. The State Fish is the Striped Bass. South Carolina has 5 Fish Hatcheries.
• The first South Carolina State FLAG was adopted in 1861. Some counties have a flag, and the Catawaba Tribe has its own flag. The State Seal was authorized in 1776. South Carolina has two mottoes: (1) Dum Spiro Spero, meaning "While I Breathe I Hope", and refers to the figure of Hope on the State Seal, and (2) "Animis Opbusque Parati" meaning "Ready in Soul and Resource". The State Dog is the Boykin Spaniel.

• South Carolina has FOOD Festivals, and Events. The Food Time line dates back to a 1663 land grant from King Charles II of Great Britain. Settlers soon brought seeds and root cuttings. are a specialty in the state. The South Carolina Food Bank Assocition is located throughout the state.

• South Carolina has primeval FORESTS. It also has 2 National Forests and 5 State Forests. The State Tree is the Palmetto The state has both State & National Champion Trees.

• The GEOLOGY of South Carolina is composed of 5 regions. The US Geological Survey has programs in South Carolina and provides information about geology in the state. Several minerals are found inSouth Carolina. The State mineral is the Ameythest, and the State Stone is the Blue Granite.

• The GLOBAL POSITION of South Carolina is approximately 32-35 degrees north and 73-83 degrees south. The state is bordered to the south by the state of Georgia, to the north by the state of North Carolina, and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. The geographic center of the state is in Richland County. The lowest place is sea level and the highest is Sassafras Mountain. NOAA provides information about the topography of the state. Geocaching is a popular game using a global positioning finder, and there are many geocaches in South Carolina.

• South Carolina has 6 GHOST TOWNS. The town of Ellenton has houses, streets, farms, & a gas station. Newell has old buildings and numerous automobiles. Nothing remains of the other ghost towns.

• Many HISTORIC SITES in South Carolina are on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Trust helps protect historic places in the state. Historic sites include, parks, buildings, and monuments.

• The HISTORY of South Carolina dates back to at least 13,000 BC (when tool-making nomads began to leave material remains). The Chronological History begain in 1500. South Carolina participates in National History Day.

• South Carolina has a variety of INDUSTRIES. The major industries are agricultural products, textiles, manufacturing chemicals, processed foods, machinery, electronics, paper products, and tourism. Sweetgrass grows on many of the Barrier Islands and there is a big basket making industry. Trade Shows are held throughout the year.

• A wide variety of INSECTS are found in South Carolina including many species of butterflies & moths. The official State Insect is the Carolina Mantid. The State Butterfly is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. The State Spider is the Carolina Wolf Spider.

• There are many ISLANDS off the coast of South Carolina. Hilton Head is the second largest barrier island on the east coast. There is a world class resort on Daufuskie Island. The Isle of Palms is thought to be at least 25,000 years old. Each year thousands of Purple Martins return to Bomb Island on Lake Murray and the island has been declared a bird sanctuary

• JAZZ Festivals are held in several places throughout South Carolina. Jazz Clubs are located throughout the state. Many other musical events are held each year. Many cities have Opera Companies and Bands & Orchestras.

South Carolina has KARST and caves. The National Speleological Society has chapters in South Carolina that provide information about caving. The National Park Service has a Cave and Karst Program.
• Many aspects of life in South Carolina focus on KIDS, and the state has a Kids Page. The Department of Fish & Wildlife has a Kids Page. NOAA has a Kids Page about the weather. AG in the Classroom has a Kids Page about agriculture in the state. The National Agriculture Statistic Service has a kids page about agriculture.

• South Carolina has many LAKES and reservoirs. The major lakes are Marion, Moultrie, Murray, and Hartwell.

• Public, Academic, & Special LIBRARIES are located throughout South Carolina. Most of them have internet access & special programs, and some have bookmobiles. The State Library is in Columbia.

• LIGHTHOUSES are located off the coast of South Carolina. Hunting Lighthouse is the only historic lighthouse in South Carolina that is officially opened for climbing. The most important aspect of a lighthouse is the light that comes from the tower.

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  South Carolina has several military installations and National Guard Units. The state has many Forts. The first battle of the Civil War was in South Carolina.

• South Carolina has MOUNTAINS including part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains. Mountain Vistas on Highway 11 follows the path of an ancient Cherokee trail along the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains for more than 100 miles.

• MUSEUMS are located throughout South Carolina including Art Museums and Historical Museums. The Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum is in Aiken. The Cowpens Depot & Museum is on the National Register of Historic Places.

South Carolina was named after Charles I of England - Carolus is latin for Charles. It is nicknamed the Palmetto State but once known as the Iodine State. The abbreviation for the state is SC. The residents are called South Carolinians. Johnston is called The Hub of the Ridge because it is located at the meeting place of 3 river systems which flow away from the Ridge. Orangeburg is nicknamed the Garden City because of its beautiful Edisto Memorial Gardens. Summerville is known as The Flower Town in the Pines because of its millions of blossoms in the Spring.
• The first residents of South Carolina were several NATIVE AMERICAN Tribes. The Catawbas are a soverign and recognized nation. The Pee Dees are a state recognized tribe. Several groups are trying to get recogition. There are several Casinos. The South Carolina Royal Rangers have a yearly pow wow.

• South Carolina has OBSERVATORIES. The Melton Observatory is located on the campus of the University of South Carolina. The state also has planetariums. Most offer classes as well as programs for the general public. South Carolina also has several astronomical societies. Many places observe Astronomy Day.

• South Carolina is bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean. Information about Coastal Tides is provided by NOAA. The USGS provides information about why the ocean is Salty.

• South Carolina has a wide variety of PARKS. There are several National Parks and many State Parks . The state also has Theme Parks and Amusement Parks.

• South Carolina has a POPULATION of over 4 million people. Many well-known people have called South Carolina their home. Andrew Jackson, 7th U.S. president, was born in Waxhaw.

• South Carolina has the 4th busiest container ports in the country.

• A QUARTER WAS issued by the U.S. Mint for each state according to its admission date. South Carolina was admitted to the union in 1788 and a quarter was issued in its honor in 2000. The U.S. Mint has a special Kids Page

• QUILTING is popular in South Carolina and Quilt Guilds are located throughout the state. There are also Weaving & Spinning Guilds.
• Take a QUIZ about South Carolina. 1. General Quiz Map Quiz 3. Trivia Quiz

• South Carolina is home to many species of REPTILES and amphibians. The State Reptile is the Loggerhead Turtle. Poisonous snakes include Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Eastern Diamondback, Eastern Coral, and Timber and Pigmy rattlers. The State Amphibian is the Spotted Salamander.

• South Carolina has hundreds of RIVERS. The major rivers are the Santee, Edisto, and Savannah. The Edisto River Canoe & Kayak Trail covers 66 miles of the river. The Chattooga River is a designated National Wild & Scenic River and has whitewater rafting down rapids and scenic floats. It serves as part of the boundary between Georgia and South Carolina. American Rivers is an organization that protects and restores river systems in the country.

• A wide variety of SEA LIFE is found off the coast of South Carolina including Sea Turtles and many species of dolphins and whales. There are also Sharks, and the Atlantic Sharpnose is a year-round resident of the state.

• South Carolina offers a wide variety of SPORTS and recreation. The state has many sports teams including college, high school, league, & professional. The state nearly golf courses and is called the Golf Capital of the South. It also has Race Tracks. Duncan Park Baseball Stadium in Spartanburg is the oldest minor league stadium in the country. Both freshwater and saltwater Fishing are popular. Many great sports figures have come from the state.

• South Carolina shares a State TARTAN with North Carolina and participates in National Tartan Day.

• South Carolina has many types of TRAILS and celebrates National Trails Day. There are many Horse Trails. A 24-mile motorcycle trail and a 26-mile horse trail are unusual features of Parsons Mountain Park in the Sumter National Forest. The state has many Scenic Scenic Byways and Scenic Drives. There are also Roadside Attractions.

• South Carolina has many forms of TRANSPORTATION. The State Department of Transportation maintains highways, bridges, tunnels, and has an Adopt-A-Highway Program. The Federal Highway Administration provides information on traffic and road closures in South Carolina. A variety of license plates are available.To celebrates its 50th birthday, Matchbox cars issued a car for each state in the order in which it was admitted into the union. The car for South Carolina was the Golf Cart.

• South Carolina has many public and private UNIVERSITIES and Colleges. It also has Community and Technical Colleges.

• The first South Carolina (Battleship #27, later BB 26) spent most of her career operating off the U.S. east coast & the Caribbean. The second USS South Carolina was a California Class nuclear powered guided missile cruiser.

• South Carolina has a variety of VEGETATION. The State Flower is the Yellow Jasmine. Sumter has the largest Gingko farm in the world. Nature Conservancy helps preserve the land in South Carolina. The state participates in the USGS Vegetation Mapping Program. The Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge is one of the southeast's premier sites for viewing the rapidly diminishing longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem.

• There is evidence that part of South Carolina was developed by VOLCANO activity. Federal Emergency Management Agency has information about volcanos.

• South Carolina has many WATERFALLS including the highest falls in Eastern America. Raven Cliff Falls is the tallest in the state. Twin Falls is just like the name implies - sidebyside waterfalls. Horseshoe Falls is a popular swimming & picnic area.

• South Carolina experience a variety of WEATHER. Weather Underground also provides information about current weather conditions. The Environmental Protection Agency provides information about climate change.

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  South Carolina has a great diversity of WILDLIFE and 20 Wildlife Refuges including National Wildlife Refuges/Marine Sanctuaries and Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers. The state animal is the Whitetail Deer. Some species of wildlife are endangered. The Nature Conservancy protects lands & water needed for plants & animals to survive. The state has Wildlife Viewing Areas. South Carolina participates in the Wildlife Protection Program.

• XMAS is the common abbreviation for Christmas and it is celebrated in South Carolina much like the rest of the country and around the world. The National Christmas Tree Association has information about Christmas trees.

• YMCA organizations are located throughout South Carolina.

• There are several YOUTH HOSTELS in South Carolina. The state also has Elder Hostels.

• The use of ZIP CODES began in 1963. Zip codes in South Carolina all start with the number 2.

• South Carolina is in the Eastern Time ZONE The state has a wide range of Plant Zones

• South Carolina has ZOOS and aquariums. At the Riverbanks Zoological Park in Columbia, animals thrive in recreated natural habitats with no bars or cages. The Greenville Zoo has wildlife from around the world. Ripley's Aquarium at Myrtle Beach host the famous Weeki Wachee mermaids in August. The South Carolina Aquarium has aquatic life from each region in the state.