King Charles I of England granted the land on which
South Carolina is
located to Sir Robert Heath in 1629.
The region was named 'Carolus', a word derived from the Latin form
of Charles. This was later changed to Carolina.
The colony split into North and South in 1712.
South Carolina was 1 of the original 13 colonies to declare
independence from the British during the American Revolution,
establishing its own government on Mar 15, 1776.
On May 23, 1788,
South Carolina
became the 8th State to ratify the new U.S.Constitution.
On Dec 20, 1860, South Carolina was the
1st state to secede from the Union and join the
Confederate States of America.
South Carolina is
bordered to the north by North Carolina,
to the south and west by Georgia,
and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean.
About 4.4 million people live within a 31 thousand miles² area.
WEATHER
South Carolina's climate is humid and subtropical, with
long, hot summers and short, mild winters.
The subtropical climate of South Carolina
comes from the combination of low latitude,
low elevation,
the proximity of the warm Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean,
and the Appalachian Mountains.
The mountains
screen out cold air from the interior of the United States.
The average temperature is 32~55 º F in January
and 80~100 º F in July.
The all~time low is -19 º F, and the record high is 111 º F.
The state receives about
49 inches of precipitation per year.
Nearly all of that is rainfall.
Most of the precipitation is received during the spring and
summer months.
Snow usually only occurs in the Appalachians and upper Piedmont.
Freezing rain is more common than snowfall.
Nowhere in the state averages more than 6 in (15 cm) of snow each year.
Some areas on the coast can receive no snow.
South Carolina averages 14 tornadoes
per year.
The state is prone to tropical cyclones during hurricane season, between
June and November.
About 50 days of thunderstorms occur annually.
ECONOMY
The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce,
as the unified voice of business and industry,
serves as catalyst for statewide increased
per capita income and global competitiveness,
through its efforts to:
• Decrease business costs and increase productivity.
• Build a highly~skilled, capable workforce.
• Nurture entrepreneurial development.
• Foster a favorable climate among our members and their employees.
• Improve quality of life for all of South Carolina.
South Carolina's economy is not dependent on any single sector.
Travel and tourism directly accounts for 6% of all jobs and 5% of
gross state product.
The tourist industry ranks as the
South Carolina's
primary source of income.
About 30 million visitors come
through the state each year.
The huge textile and clothing industries,
are based on the cotton crop.
Lumber, pulp, and paper rely on the millions of acres of
forestland that cover the state.
Manufactured goods also include chemicals, machinery, and automobiles.
The manufacturing industry depends on the state's agricultural products.
Tobacco and soybeans rival cotton as cash crops.
Chickens, turkeys, hogs, and cattle are also important.
Peanuts, pecans, sweet potatoes, and peaches are grown in abundance.
South Carolina also produces
cotton lint, soybeans, eggs, corn, wheat, and tomatoes.
Fishing is a major commercial enterprise.
The top catches are blue crabs and shrimp.
South Carolina's coastline
extends 187 miles. If all bays, inlets, and islands are
considered... the coastline actually measures 2876 miles.
Water power, military bases, and nuclear facilities contribute
greatly to the economy.
There are no large natural lakes in South Carolina,
but several have been created for hydro~electric power purposes.
South Carolina's mineral resources have minor impact on the
state's economy.
There is a little gold, but
most mineral production is non~metallic (cement~stone~clay~sand~gravel).
SCHOOLS
The State Department of Education is
dedicated to leading educational reform and
improvement in the state’s 85 school districts and
1100 public schools.
The mission of the South Carolina Department of Education is
to provide leadership and services to ensure a system of
public education through which all students will become educated,
responsible, and contributing citizens.
Under the supervision of the State Superintendent of Education,
the Department provides expertise in research~based teaching and
learning and also serves as the state’s leading advocate for
policies promoting school improvement.
The South Carolina State Board of Education is
responsible for public elementary and secondary education
in South Carolina.
The Board consists of 17 members,
1 appointed from each of the state's 16 judicial circuits,
and a 17th member appointed by the governor.
Members are appointed for 4~year terms.
The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
addresses the needs of the state by:
• Creating a well~educated citizenry.
• Raising the standard of living.
• Improving the quality of life.
• Meeting the ever~changing needs of the work force.
• Creating economic development opportunities.
• Positioning the state to be competitive in a global economy.
• Forging a new generation of public sector and private sector leaders.
For more details please contact the
South Carolina Department of Education.
HOSPITALITY
If you've had enough of Old Man Winter and you're tired of
wearing wool coats, snow boots, scarves and scullies,
it's time to warm up in
South Carolina!
Discover cherished American historic sites and cities,
cultural and artistic treasures,
award~winning museums, fantastic shopping &
dining, fun site~seeing tours,
scenic back road trips,
and charming small towns.
Outdoor South Carolina
features fantastic and fun State Parks,
championship golf courses, fishing, hiking,
white~water rafting, boating, kayaking and
scuba diving.
With more than 100 miles of coastline bordered by the
Atlantic Ocean, you'll love soaking up the sun or
walking on beautiful beaches.
However you decide to spend your time,
you'll enjoy all the beautiful places
South Carolina has to offer.
From fine dining to
fast food, you will find it here.
Stay at an exclusive resort, or a convenient
place by the highway.
South Carolina will accommodate you.
The Hospitality Association of South Carolina is the
trade association for the lodging and food~service industry.
It consists of 2 membership divisions;
South Carolina Hotel & Motel
and the South Carolina Restaurant Associations.
South Carolina's hospitality industry is the state's
largest private~sector employer; restaurants, hotels, motels,
resorts, bars, bed & breakfasts, nightclubs and inns.
For more details please contact
South Carolina State Tourism.
NEWS
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