South Carolina

Table of Contents

References & Edit History Facts & Stats

Images & Videos

The Carolina wren is the state bird of South Carolina.

Yellow jasmine is the state flower of South Carolina.

For Students

South Carolina summary

Read Next

Painting titled: "Washington as Statesman at the Constitutional Convention" oil on canvas by Junius Brutus Stearns, 1856; in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. (Note from museum) The painting represents George Washington's role as president of the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The normally reserved Washington urges passage of a new federal constitution, a draft of which he holds in his hands.

How Many of the Signers of the U.S. Constitution Were Enslavers?

Detail of a concept image of the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution. We the People

How Many People Signed the U.S. Constitution?

Battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862, lithograph by Kurz and Allison, circa 1888.

9 Questions About the American Civil War Answered

Discover

The Jeff Koons tulips sculputure outside the Guggenheim Museums in Bilbao, Spain, Basque Country.

What’s the Difference Between Modern and Contemporary Art?

9 Mind-Altering Plants

Nativity Scene, Adoration of the Magi, Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, Montenegro

Why Is Christmas in December?

Ahura Mazda - relief of the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazda at the ancient ruins of Persepolis in Iran. Also known as Ormazd Zoroastrianism,

Which Religion Is the Oldest?

Saint Lucia Day. Young girl wears Lucia crown (tinsel halo) with candles. Holds Saint Lucia Day currant laced saffron buns (lussekatter or Lucia's cats). Observed December 13 honor virgin martyr Santa Lucia (St. Lucy). Luciadagen, Christmas, Sweden

7 Winter Solstice Celebrations From Around the World

Fish. Lionfish. Lion-fish. Turkey fish. Fire-fish. Red lionfish. Pterois volitans. Venomous fin spines. Coral reefs. Underwater. Ocean. Red lionfish swims by seaweed.

10 of the World’s Most Dangerous Fish

Close-up of ostriches (Struthio camelus) necks and heads; location unknown.

6 of the World's Most Dangerous Birds

South Carolina

state, United States

Also known as: Palmetto State

Written by John J. Winberry, Donald O. Bushman•All

Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Dec 23, 2024 • Article History

News •

Relief, defiance, anger: Families and advocates react to Biden's death row commutations • Dec. 23, 2024, 6:16 PM ET (AP)

Supreme Court to weigh state moves to cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood • Dec. 18, 2024, 3:15 PM ET (AP)

South Carolina, UCLA, Duke and Texas women to play in round-robin tournament in Las Vegas in 2025 • Dec. 16, 2024, 1:51 PM ET (AP)

Notre Dame jumps to 3rd in AP Top 25 women's poll after win over UConn; UCLA, South Carolina 1-2 • Dec. 16, 2024, 1:00 PM ET (AP)

Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82 • Dec. 15, 2024, 8:30 PM ET (AP)

South Carolina, constituent state of the United States of America, one of the 13 original colonies. It lies on the southern Eastern Seaboard of the United States. Shaped like an inverted triangle with an east-west base of 285 miles (459 km) and a north-south extent of about 225 miles (360 km), the state is bounded on the north by North Carolina, on the southeast by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the southwest by Georgia. Columbia, located in the centre of the state, is the capital and largest city. Settled by the English in 1670, South Carolina had a wealthy, aristocratic, ...(100 of 5980 words)

Access the full article

Help support true facts by becoming a member.