See Also

South Carolina

South Carolina is a state U.S. state

A state of the United States is any one of the fifty subnational entities referred to as a state [i] ... 

 in the Southern Southern United States

The Southern United States or the South constitutes a distinctive region [i] covering a large port ... 

 region of the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

. The Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies Thirteen Colonies

The Thirteen Colonies were thirteen British [i] colonies [i] in North America [i], ... 

 that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution American Revolution

The American Revolution was a political movement that ended British [i] control ... 

. It was the first state to secede from the Union to found the Confederate States of America Confederate States of America

The Confederate States of America was the government formed by eleven southern states of the USA [i] ... 

. The state is named after King Charles II of England Charles II of England

Charles II was the King of England [i], King of Scots [i], and King of Ireland [i] from 30 January [i] ... 

, as Carolus is Latin for Charles. As of 2004, the state's population is 4,198,068. Several ships in the United States Navy United States Navy

The United States Navy is the branch of the United States armed forces [i] responsible for conducting naval [i] ... 

 have been named USS South Carolina in honor of this state.

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Timeline

1712   Tuscarora War: The Carolina militia of Native Americans and settlers from the South Carolina portion of the Province of Carolina Province of Carolina

The Province of Carolina from 1663 [i] to 1729 [i], was a North America [i]n British [i] ... 

 arrives at Bath.

1718   Blackbeard Blackbeard

Blackbeard was the nickname of Edward Teach, alias Edward Thatch , a notorious English [i] ... 

 leads 300 sailors in four ships to blockade the port of Charleston Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is a city in the counties of Berkeley [i] and Charleston [i] ... 

, South Carolina in late May. The "Queen Anne's Revenge" and "Adventure" are both lost in Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina North Carolina

North Carolina is a state [i] in the Southeastern [i] United States [i] ... 

 one week later. Blackbeard allows Stede Bonnet Stede Bonnet

Major Stede Bonnet, the "gentleman pirate," was one of the most interesting but least successful sea pirate [i] ... 

 to once again command the "Revenge", which is renamed the "Royal James". Bonnet rescues 25 sailors abandoned by Blackbeard on a sandbar and continues his life of piracy.

1729   Seven of the original eight Lords Proprietors sell their tracts within the Province of Carolina Province of Carolina

The Province of Carolina from 1663 [i] to 1729 [i], was a North America [i]n British [i] ... 

 back to the crown. The Province is permanently divided and reorganized into the Royal Colonies of North Carolina North Carolina

North Carolina is a state [i] in the Southeastern [i] United States [i] ... 

 and South Carolina.

1775   September 12 - "Independence Hurricane" from South Carolina to Nova Scotia Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is a Canadian province [i] located on Canada [i]'s southeastern coast. ... 

 kills 4170, mostly fishermen and sailors.

1775   American Revolutionary War: Colonel Richard Richardson's South Carolina revolutionaries march through Ninety Six District in what becomes known as the "Snow Campaign", effectively ending all major support for the Loyalist cause in the backcountry of South Carolina.

1776   American Revolutionary War American Revolutionary War

The American Revolutionary War , also known as the American War of Independence, was a war between... 

: South Carolina Loyalists led by Robert Cunningham sign a petition from prison agreeing to all demands for peace by the newly formed state government of South Carolina.

1778   South Carolina becomes the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, commonly known as the Articles of Confederation... 

.

1788   South Carolina ratifies the United States Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

 and becomes the 8th U.S. state U.S. state

A state of the United States is any one of the fifty subnational entities referred to as a state [i] ... 

.

1798   The Mississippi Territory Mississippi Territory

Mississippi Territory was a historic, organized territory [i] of the United States [i] from April 7 [i], ... 

 is organized from territory ceded by Georgia Georgia (U.S. state)

For the country, see Georgia [i]. ... 

 and South Carolina and is later twice expanded to include disputed territory claimed by both the U.S. and Spain

1856   Congressman United States House of Representatives

The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers [i] of the United States Congress [i] ... 

 Preston Brooks Preston Brooks

Preston Smith Brooks was a Congressman [i] from South Carolina [i], known notoriously for brutally assault [i] ... 

 of South Carolina beats Senator United States Senate

he United States Senate is one of the two chambers of the Congress of the United States [i], the other b ... 

 Charles Sumner Charles Sumner

Charles Sumner was an American politician [i] and statesman from Massachusetts [i]. ... 

 with a cane in the hall of the United States Senate United States Senate

he United States Senate is one of the two chambers of the Congress of the United States [i], the other b ... 

 for a speech Sumner had made attacking Southerners who sympathized with the pro-slavery Slavery

Slavery is the social and legal designation of specific person [i]s as property [i] or chattel, for the ... 

 violence in Kansas Kansas

Kansas is a Midwestern [i] state [i] in the Central [i] United States [i] ... 

 ("Bleeding Kansas Bleeding Kansas

Bleeding Kansas, sometimes referred to in history [i] as Bloody Kansas or the ... 

"). Sumner was unable to return to duty for three years while he recovered. Brooks became a hero across the South.

   More Events >>



Encyclopedia

South Carolina is a state U.S. state

A state of the United States is any one of the fifty subnational entities referred to as a state [i] ... 

 in the Southern Southern United States

The Southern United States or the South constitutes a distinctive region [i] covering a large port ... 

 region of the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

. The Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies Thirteen Colonies

The Thirteen Colonies were thirteen British [i] colonies [i] in North America [i], ... 

 that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution American Revolution

The American Revolution was a political movement that ended British [i] control ... 

. It was the first state to secede from the Union to found the Confederate States of America Confederate States of America

The Confederate States of America was the government formed by eleven southern states of the USA [i]... 

. The state is named after King Charles II of England Charles II of England

Charles II was the King of England [i], King of Scots [i], and King of Ireland [i] from 30 January [i] ... 

, as Carolus is Latin for Charles. As of 2004, the state's population is 4,198,068.

Several ships in the United States Navy United States Navy

The United States Navy is the branch of the United States armed forces [i] responsible for conducting naval [i] ... 

 have been named USS South Carolina in honor of this state.

South Carolina Nicknames

  • The Palmetto State
  • Cackalacky or South Cackalacky
  • The Prostrate State

Geography



South Carolina is bounded to the north by North Carolina North Carolina

North Carolina is a state [i] in the Southeastern [i] United States [i]... 

; to the south and west by Georgia Georgia

Georgia may mean:
  • Georgia [i], a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia: **Formerly ... 

    , located across the Savannah River; and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean

    The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean [i], covering approximately one-fifth of the Earth [i]'s ... 

    .


South Carolina is composed of four geographic areas, whose boundaries roughly parallel the northeast/southwest Atlantic coastline. The lower part of the state is the Coastal Plain, also known as the Lowcountry, which is nearly flat and composed entirely of recent sediments such as sand, silt, and clay. Areas with better drainage make excellent farmland, though some land is swampy. The coastline contains many salt marshes Saltmarsh

A salt marsh is a type of marsh [i] found in the intertidal [i] transition between land and ocean. ... 

 and estuaries Estuary

An estuary is a mouth of a river [i] with a triangle form, semi-enclosed coastal [i] body of water [i] w... 

, as well as natural ports such as Georgetown Georgetown, South Carolina

Georgetown is the third oldest city in South Carolina [i] and the county seat of Georgetown County [i].... 

 and Charleston. An unusual feature of the coastal plain is a large number of Carolina bays Carolina Bay

The Carolina bays are oval-shaped depressions found along the Atlantic coast within coastal Delaware [i] ... 

, the origins of which are uncertain, though one prominent theory suggests that they were created by a meteor shower. The bays tend to be oval, lining up in a northwest to southeast orientation.
Palmetto State
State Capital: Columbia Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia is the capital of and largest city in the U.S. state [i] of South Carolina [i]. ... 

State Motto: While I breathe I hope
State Song: "Carolina"
State Tree List of U.S. state trees

This List of U.S. state trees includes official trees of the following states [i] and U.S. possessions [i]... 

:
Sabal Palmetto
State Flower List of U.S. state flowers

This is a list of U.S. state flowers:
... 

:
Yellow Jessamine Yellow Jessamine

Yellow Jessamine, also known as Evening Trumpetflower or Carolina Jessamine, is a twining vine [i]... 

State Bird: Carolina Wren Carolina Wren

The Carolina Wren is a common species of wren [i] resident in the eastern half of the USA [i], the extre ... 

State Wild Game Bird: Wild Turkey Wild Turkey

The Wild Turkey is the heaviest member of the Galliformes [i], and is one of the two species of turkey [i] ... 

State Dog: Boykin Spaniel Boykin Spaniel

The Boykin Spaniel is a medium sized breed [i] of dog [i] and a member of the Spaniel [i] fami ... 

State Animal: White-tailed Deer White-tailed Deer

The White-tailed deer, also known as the Virginia deer, is a medium-sized deer [i] found throughou ... 

State Reptile: Loggerhead Sea Turtle Loggerhead Sea Turtle

The Loggerhead Sea Turtle is a sea turtle [i] and the only member of the genus Caretta. ... 

State Amphibian: Spotted Salamander Spotted Salamander

The Spotted Salamander is a mole salamander [i] common in the eastern United States [i].
... 

State Fish: Striped Bass Striped bass

Commonly known as a striper, rockfish or just "rock", the striped bass is a member of the temperate bass... 

State Insect List of U.S. state insects

This is a list of U.S. state insects:
... 

:
Carolina Mantid Carolina mantis

The Carolina mantis or mantid is the state insect [i] of South Carolina [i]. ... 

State Butterfly: Eastern tiger swallowtail Eastern tiger swallowtail

The eastern tiger swallowtail, Papilio glaucus, is a large swallowtail butterfly [i].... 

State Fruit: Peach Peach

The Peach is a tree [i] native to China [i] that bears a juicy fruit of the same name.
... 

State Beverage: Milk Milk

Milk is the nutrient fluid produced by the mammary gland [i]s of female mammal [i]s . ... 

State Hospitality Beverage: Iced Tea Iced tea

Iced tea is a form of cold tea [i], often served in a glass over ice [i]. ... 

State Gemstone: Amethyst Amethyst

Amethyst is a violet or purple variety of quartz [i] often used as an ornament [i]. ... 

State Stone: Blue Granite Granite

Granite is a common and widely-occurring type of intrusive [i], felsic [i], igneous [i] ... 

State Popular Music: Beach Music
State Dance: Shag
State Snack: Boiled Peanuts Peanut

The peanut or groundnut is a species in the legume [i] family Fabaceae [i] native to South America [i] ... 

State Craft: Sweetgrass Basket Weaving Basket weaving

Basket weaving is the process of weaving [i] unspun vegetable [i] fiber [i]s into a basket [i]. ... 



Just west of the coastal plain is the Sand Hills region, which is thought to contain remnants of old coastal dunes from a time when the land was sunken or the oceans were higher.

The Piedmont Piedmont

Piedmont is a region [i] of northwestern Italy [i]. ... 

region contains the roots of an ancient, eroded mountain chain. It tends to be hilly, with thin, stony clay soils, and contains few areas suitable for farming. Much of the Piedmont was once farmed, with little success, and is now reforested. At the edge of the Piedmont is the fall line, where rivers drop to the coastal plain. The fall line was an important early source of water power, and mills built to harness this resource encouraged the growth of several cities, including the capital, Columbia. The larger rivers are navigable up to the fall line, providing a trade route for mill towns.

The upper part of the Piedmont is also known as the Foothills. The Cherokee Parkway is a scenic driving route through this area.

Highest in elevation is the Upstate, containing an escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Mountains

The Blue Ridge is a mountain chain in the eastern United States [i], part of the Appalachian Mountains [i] ... 

, which continue into North Carolina and Georgia, as part of the southern Appalachian Appalachian Mountains

The Appalachian Mountains are a vast system of North America [i]n mountains, partly in Canada [i], but m ... 

 chain. Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina's highest point at 3,560 feet Foot

The foot is a biological structure found in many animal [i]s that is used for locomotion [i]. ... 

  is located in this area. Also located in the Upcountry is Table Rock State Park and Caesar's Head State Park. The Chattooga River, located on the border between South Carolina and Georgia, is a favorite whitewater rafting Rafting

Rafting is a recreational activity utilizing a raft [i] to navigate a river [i] or other body of water. ... 

 destination.

Areas under the management of the National Park Service National Park Service

The National Park Service is the United States [i] federal agency that manages all National Parks [i] ... 

 include:
  • Charles Pinckney National Historic Site Charles Pinckney National Historic Site

    Charles Pinckney National Historic Site preserves a portion of Charles Pinckney's [i] ' ... 

     at Mt. Pleasant Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

    Mount Pleasant is a town in Charleston County [i], South Carolina [i], ... 

  • Congaree National Park Congaree National Park

    Congaree National Park preserves the largest tract of old growth [i] bottomland hardwood [i] forest [i] ... 

     in Hopkins
  • Cowpens National Battlefield Cowpens National Battlefield

    Cowpens National Battlefield is a unit of the National Park Service [i] near Chesnee, South Carolina [i] ... 

     near Chesnee Chesnee, South Carolina

    Chesnee is a city in South Carolina [i], United States [i]. The population was 1,003 at the 2000 census. ... 

    ,
  • Fort Moultrie National Monument Fort Moultrie National Monument

    Fort Moultrie is the name of a series of forts on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina [i], built to protec ... 

     at Sullivan’s Island Sullivan's Island, South Carolina

    Sullivan's Island is an island in Charleston County [i], South Carolina [i]... 

  • Fort Sumter National Monument Fort Sumter

    Fort Sumter, located in Charleston, South Carolina [i], harbor, was named after General Thomas Sumter [i] ... 

     in Charleston Harbor
  • Kings Mountain National Military Park Kings Mountain National Military Park

    Kings Mountain National Military Park is a National Military Park [i] near Blacksburg [i] ... 

     at Blacksburg Blacksburg, South Carolina

    Blacksburg is a town in Cherokee County [i], South Carolina [i], United States [i] ... 

  • Ninety Six National Historic Site Ninety Six National Historic Site

    Ninety Six National Historic Site is a United States [i] National Historic Site [i] ... 

     in Ninety Six Ninety Six, South Carolina

    Ninety Six is a town in Greenwood County [i], South Carolina [i], United States [i]... 

  • Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail


See: List of South Carolina counties List of counties in South Carolina

This is a list of the counties [i] of South Carolina [i]. ... 

.

History

Main article: History of South Carolina History of South Carolina

South Carolina is one of the original states of the United States of America [i], and its history has be ... 



The colony of Carolina was settled by English settlers, mostly from Barbados Barbados

Barbados is an independent island nation [i] located in the western Atlantic Ocean [i], just to the east ... 

, sent by the Lords Proprietors in 1670, followed by French Huguenot Huguenot

In the 16th [i] and 17th [i] centuries, the name of Huguenots came to apply to ... 

s. The Carolina upcountry was settled largely by Scotch-Irish migrants from Pennsylvania Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a state [i] in the northeastern [i] ... 

 and Virginia Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia is one of the original thirteen colonies [i] of the United States [i] ... 

, following the Great Wagon Road. North Carolina was split off in 1712. Carolina became a royal colony in 1729. The state declared its independence from Great Britain Kingdom of Great Britain

Kingdom of Great Britain
... 

 and set up its own government on March 15, 1776. On February 5, 1778, South Carolina became the first state to ratify the first constitution of the United States, the Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, commonly known as the Articles of Confederation... 

. South Carolina became the 8th state on May 23, 1788.

South Carolina was the first state to secede from the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 on December 20, 1860 towards forming the Confederate States of America Confederate States of America

The Confederate States of America was the government formed by eleven southern states of the USA [i]... 

. President James Buchanan James Buchanan

James Buchanan was the 15th president of the United States [i] . ... 

 took little action, preferring to let the newly elected President Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln , sometimes called Abe Lincoln and nicknamed Honest Abe, the Rail Splitte... 

 decide the matter. On April 12, 1861, Confederate batteries began shelling Fort Sumter Fort Sumter

Fort Sumter, located in Charleston, South Carolina [i], harbor, was named after General Thomas Sumter [i] ... 

, which stands on an island in Charleston harbor, thus precipitating the Civil War American Civil War

The American Civil War was a sectional conflict in the United States of America [i] between the federal ... 

. Students from The Citadel were among those firing the first shots of the war, though Edmund Ruffin is usually credited with firing the first shot.

After the American Civil War American Civil War

The American Civil War was a sectional conflict in the United States of America [i] between the federal ... 

, South Carolina was reincorporated into the United States during Reconstruction Reconstruction

Reconstruction was a period in United States [i] history, 18651876, that attempted to resolve the issues ... 

. The state became a hotbed of racial and economic controversy during the Populist and Agrarian movements of the late 1800s.

In the 20th century, South Carolina developed a thriving textile industry, converted its agricultural base from cotton to more profitable crops, attracted large military bases and, most recently, attracted European manufacturers.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census
year
Population

1790 249,073
1800 345,591
1810 415,115
1820 502,741
1830 581,185
1840 594,398
1850 668,507
1860 703,708
1870 705,606
1880 995,577
1890 1,151,149
1900 1,340,316
1910 1,515,400
1920 1,683,724
1930 1,738,765
1940 1,899,804
1950 2,117,027
1960 2,382,594
1970 2,590,516
1980 3,121,820
1990 3,486,703
2000 United States Census, 2000

# French [i] or French Creole [i]
... 

 
4,012,012


According to the U.S. Census Bureau United States Census Bureau

The United States Census Bureau is a part of the United States Department of Commerce [i]. ... 

, as of 2005, South Carolina has an estimated population of 4,255,083, which is an increase of 57,191, or 1.4%, from the prior year and an increase of 243,267, or 6.1%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 97,715 people and an increase due to net migration of 151,485 people into the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 36,401 people, and migration within the country produced a net increase of 115,084 people.
The five largest ancestry groups in South Carolina are African American African American

An African American is a member of an ethnic group [i] in the United States [i] whose ancestors, usual... 

 , American Maps of American ancestries

The ancestry of the people of the United States [i] is widely varied and includes descendants of populat ... 

 , German German American

German Americans are citizens of the United States [i] of German [i] ancestry. ... 

 , English , Irish Irish American

Irish Americans are residents of the United States [i] who acknowledge Irish [i] ancestry. ... 

 . It is probable that most of those claiming American ancestry are descended from the early Scots-Irish Scots-Irish American

Scots-Irish is a term used to describe inhabitants of the USA [i] and Canada [i] of Ulster-Scots [i] des ... 

 settlers of the upstate region.

For most of its history, black slaves History of slavery in the United States

*Frederick Douglass [i] - Nation's most powerful anti-slavery speaker, a former slave. ... 

 made up a majority of South Carolina's population. African-Americans still dominate most of the Lowcountry and much of the Piedmont; areas where cotton Cotton

Cotton is a soft fiber [i] that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant , a shrub [i] native to the t ... 

, rice Rice

Rice refers to two species of grass [i], native to tropical and subtropical southern & southeas ... 

, and indigo plantations once dominated the landscape. Whites, primarily of American and British ancestry, live in much of the upstate and in certain urban and suburban areas.

6.6% of South Carolina's population were reported as under 5, 25.2% under 18, and 12.1% were 65 or older.

Females made up approximately 51.4% of the population.

Religion

South Carolina, like most other Southern states, is overwhelmingly Protestant Christian, and has a significantly lower percentage of non-religious people than the national average. The religious affiliations of the people of South Carolina are as follows:
  • Christian Christianity

    Christianity is a monotheistic [i] religion [i] centered on Jesus of Nazareth [i] ... 

     – 92%
    • Protestant – 84%
      • Baptist Baptist

        A Baptist is a member of a Baptist church or a person who believes in the practice of baptism by immersi... 

         – 45%
      • Methodist Methodism

        Methodism or the Methodist movement is a group of historically related denomination [i] ... 

         – 15%
      • Presbyterian Presbyterianism

        Presbyterianism is a form of Protestant [i] Christianity, primarily in the Reformed branch of Christendo... 

         – 5%
      • Other Protestant – 19%
    • Roman Catholic – 7%
    • Other Christian – 1%
  • Other Religions – 1%
  • Non-Religious – 7%

Economy

As of 2004, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, South Carolina’s gross state product was $136 billion. As of 2000, the per capita income was $24,000, which was 81% of the national average.

Major agricultural outputs of the state are: tobacco, poultry, cattle, dairy products, soybeans, and hogs. Industrial outputs include: textile goods, chemical products, paper products, machinery, and tourism.


The state sales tax is 5 percent. Counties have the option to impose an additional 2 percent sales tax. Citizens 85 or older get a one-percent exclusion from the state's 5 percent sales tax. Property tax is administered and collected by local governments with assistance from the South Carolina Department of Revenue. Both real and personal property are subject to tax. Approximately two-thirds of county-levied property taxes are used for the support of public education. The passage of a recent state law will replace local property tax funding of education with a statewide 1% sales tax increase. Sales tax on groceries will be reduced to 3%. Municipalities levy a tax on property situated within the limits of the municipality for services provided by the municipality. The tax is paid by individuals, corporations and partnerships owning property within the state. South Carolina imposes a casual excise tax of 5 percent on the fair market value of all motor vehicles, motorcycles, boats, motors and airplanes transferred between individuals. The maximum casual excise tax is $300. In South Carolina, intangible personal property is exempt from taxation. There is no inheritance tax.

Even though the State of South Carolina does not allow legalized casino gambling it did allow the operation of Video Poker Machines throughout the state with approximately $2 billion dollars per year deposited into the state's coffers. However, at Midnight on July 1, 2000 a new law took effect which outlawed the operation, ownership and possession of Video Poker Machines in the state with machines required to be shut-off at that time and remove from within the state's borders by July 8th or owners of such machines would face criminal prosecution.

Transportation

Major interstate highways passing through the state include: I-20 Interstate 20

Interstate 20 is a major east-west interstate highway [i] in the southeastern United States [i]. ... 

, I-26 Interstate 26

Interstate 26 is an east-west main route of the Interstate Highway System [i] in the Southeastern United States [i] ... 

, I-77 Interstate 77

Interstate 77 is an interstate highway [i] in the eastern United States [i]. ... 

, I-85 Interstate 85

Interstate 85 is an interstate highway [i] in the southeastern United States [i]. ... 

, and I-95 Interstate 95

Interstate 95 is an Interstate highway [i] that runs 1,927 miles north-south a ... 

.

Amtrak Amtrak

Amtrak is the brand name [i] of the United States [i]' intercity [i] passenger train [i] system created ... 

 passes through Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, Florence, and Charleston.

Commercial airports are located in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville/Spartanburg, Florence, Myrtle Beach, and Hilton Head Island.

Law and government


South Carolina's state government consists of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. The governor is elected for a four-year term and may serve two consecutive terms. He heads the Executive branch . The current governor is Mark Sanford. The bicameral South Carolina General Assembly consists of the 46-member Senate and the 124-member House of Representatives. The two bodies meet in the South Carolina State House South Carolina State House

The South Carolina State House is the state capitol building of the U.S. state [i] of South Carolina [i]... 

. The Judicial Branch consists of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, the Circuit Court, Family Court, and other divisions.

Judicial branch

The Family Court deals with all matters of domestic and family relationships, as well as generally maintaining exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving minors under the age of seventeen, excepting traffic and game law violations. Some criminal charges may come under Circuit Court jurisdiction.

The Circuit Court is the general jurisdiction court for South Carolina, comprised of the Civil Court, the Court of Common Pleas, and the Court of General Sessions, which is the criminal court. The court maintains limited appellate jurisdiction over the Probate Court, Magistrate's Court, Municipal Court, and the Administrative Law Judge Division. The state has sixteen judicial circuits, each with at least one resident circuit judge.

The Court of Appeals handles Circuit Court and Family Court appeals, excepting appeals that are within the seven classes of exclusive Supreme Court jurisdiction. The Court of Appeals is selected by the General Assembly for staggered, six-year terms. The court is comprised of a chief judge, and eight associate judges, and may hear cases as the whole court, or as three panels with three judges each. The court may preside in any county.

The Supreme Court is South Carolina's highest court. Comprised of the Chief Justice, and four Associate Justices, Supreme Court judges are elected to ten year terms by the General Assembly. Terms are staggered, and there are no limits on the number of terms a justice may serve, but there is a mandatory retirement age of 72. The overwhelming majority of vacancies on the Court occur when Justices reach this age, not through the refusal of the General Assembly to elect a sitting Justice to another term.

See also List of Governors of South Carolina List of Governors of South Carolina

A list of South Carolina [i] Governors.... 


Law Enforcement Agencies


  • South Carolina Department of Public Safety South Carolina Department of Public Safety

    The South Carolina Department of Public Safety exists to ensure the safety of South Carolina's citizens ... 

    • South Carolina Highway Patrol Division South Carolina Highway Patrol

      ... 

    • South Carolina State Transport Police Division
    • South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy Division
    • South Carolina Bureau of Protective Services
  • South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division - Investigations & Homeland Security

Important cities and towns

The capital is Columbia Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia is the capital of and largest city in the U.S. state [i] of South Carolina [i]. ... 

. Other notable cities are Anderson, Charleston Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is a city in the counties of Berkeley [i] and Charleston [i] ... 

, Greenville Greenville, South Carolina


Greenville is the county seat [i] of and largest city in Greenville County [i] ... 

, Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach is a city in Horry County [i], South Carolina [i], United States [i]... 

, Rock Hill Rock Hill, South Carolina

Rock Hill is the largest city in York County, South Carolina [i] and a satellite city [i] of Charlotte, North Carolina [i] ... 

, and Spartanburg Spartanburg, South Carolina

Spartanburg is a city in and the county seat [i] of Spartanburg County [i] ... 

.


Education

  • See List of colleges and universities in South Carolina
  • USC, University of South Carolina University of South Carolina

    The University of South Carolina, Columbia is a public [i], coeducational [i] ... 

  • Bob Jones University Bob Jones University

    Bob Jones University is a private [i], non-denominational Protestant [i] Fundamentalist [i]... 

  • Erskine College Erskine College

    name =Erskine College

... 


  • Clemson University Clemson University

    Clemson University is a public [i], coeducational [i], land-grant [i] research [i] university [i] locate ... 

  • Coastal Carolina University Coastal Carolina University

    Coastal Carolina University (CCU) is an independent, state-supported university in Conway, South Carolina [i] ... 

  • Lander University
  • The Citadel
  • Wofford College Wofford College

    Wofford College is a quintessential liberal arts [i] college located in Spartanburg [i] ... 

  • Francis Marion University Francis Marion University

    Francis Marion University is located in Florence, South Carolina [i]. ... 

  • Furman University Furman University

    Furman University is a private [i], coeducation [i]al, non-sectarian, liberal arts [i] ... 

  • Winthrop University Winthrop University

    Winthrop University is an American [i] public, four-year liberal arts [i] college [i] in Rock Hill [i] ... 

  • Presbyterian College Presbyterian College

    Presbyterian College is a small liberal arts [i] college in Clinton, South Carolina [i], USA [i] ... 

  • College of Charleston College of Charleston

    The College of Charleston is a public university [i] located in historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina [i] ... 

  • Charleston School of Law Charleston School of Law

    The Charleston School of Law is an independent, private [i] law school [i] in Charleston, South Carolina [i] ... 

  • Charleston Southern University
  • Columbia College
  • Anderson College

Miscellaneous topics


Famous people from South Carolina


  • Bill Anderson -- born James William Anderson III on November 1, 1937 in Columbia -- is an American country music singer and songwriter, nicknamed "Whisperin' Bill." Arguably his biggest hit was the 1963 single "Still."
  • Charlotta Bass born in Sumter, South Carolina. A newspaper publisher in Los Angeles California and the first African-American woman on a Presidential campaign ticket in 1952 United States presidential election, 1952

    The U.S. presidential election of 1952 took place after over two years of stalemate in the [[Korean War]... 

    .
  • Ben Bernanke Ben Bernanke

    The Honorable [i] Benjamin Shalom Bernanke, an American macroeconomist [i], is the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve [i] ... 

     , Graduated from high school in Dillon Dillon, South Carolina

    Dillon is a city in Dillon County [i], South Carolina [i], United States [i] ... 

     in 1971. On October 24, 2005, President George W. Bush George W. Bush

    This page is monitored by many people and bots, and joke edits are removed quickly.

... 

 nominated Bernanke to succeed Alan Greenspan Alan Greenspan

Alan Greenspan is an American [i] economist [i] and was Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve [i] ... 

 as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Federal Reserve System

The Federal Reserve System is the central banking system [i] of the United States [i].
... 

. Greenspan retired on January 31, 2006 after 18 years as chairman.
  • James Brown James Brown

    James Brown is an entertainer who is recognized as one of the most influential figures in 20th century music [i] ... 

     . The "Godfather of Soul," legendary singer and member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

    The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum [i] and institution [i] in Cleveland, Ohio [i], United States [i] ... 

    .
  • Shelton Benjamin Shelton Benjamin

    Shelton Benjamin is an American [i] professional wrestler [i] ... 

     , born and raised in Orangeburg Orangeburg, South Carolina

    Orangeburg, also known as "The Garden City," is a city in Orangeburg County [i] ... 

    , he is a professional wrestler Professional wrestling

    Professional wrestling is generally any form of performance art [i] in which pro-wrestlers receive payme ... 

     and former amateur wrestler Amateur wrestling

    Amateur wrestling is the most widespread form of sport wrestling [i].... 

     now working for World Wrestling Entertainment World Wrestling Entertainment

    World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is a publicly traded, privately controlled integrated media [i] , sports [i] ... 

    's RAW WWE RAW

    WWE RAW is the Monday night professional wrestling [i] television program [i] for World Wrestling Entertainment [i] ... 

    brand.
  • James F. Byrnes born in Charleston, Secretary of State under President Franklin D. Roosevelt Franklin D. Roosevelt

    Franklin Delano Roosevelt served as the 32nd President of the United States [i] and was elected to four... 

    , also served as Governor of South Carolina Governor of South Carolina

    The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state [i] for the State of South Carolina [i] ... 

     and as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court Supreme Court of the United States

    The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body [i] in the United States [i] ... 

    . Time Magazine Time (magazine)

    Time is a weekly American [i] newsmagazine [i], similar to Newsweek [i] and U.S. News & World Report [i] ... 

    's Person of the Year 1947.
  • John C. Calhoun John C. Calhoun

    John Caldwell Calhoun was a prominent United States [i] politician from South Carolina [i] during the f ... 

     , born near Abbeville Abbeville, South Carolina

    Abbeville is a city in Abbeville County [i], South Carolina [i], 86 mil ... 

    , John Caldwell Calhoun was an American statesman and political philosopher. From 1811 until his death, Calhoun served in the federal government successively as congressman, secretary of war, vice president, senator, secretary of state and again as senator. He has been declared one of the five greatest senators of all time.
  • Wilson Casey , born in Woodruff Woodruff, South Carolina

    Woodruff is a city in Spartanburg County [i], South Carolina [i], United States [i] ... 

    . Casey is a Trivia Guinness World Record Holder and a nationally syndicated newspaper trivia columnist who appeared as a contestant on NBC's "The Weakest Link".
  • Harry Carson, American football player, , inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Pro Football Hall of Fame

    The Pro Football Hall of Fame is technically the National Football League [i]'s Hall of Fame [i]. ... 

     on August 5, 2006.
  • Chubby Checker Chubby Checker

    Chubby Checker is the stage name of Ernest Evans, an American [i] singer best known ... 

    , singer, born Ernest Evans in Spring Gulley.
  • Stephen Euin Cobb, science fiction author and host of The Future And You, born in Orangeburg Orangeburg, South Carolina

    Orangeburg, also known as "The Garden City," is a city in Orangeburg County [i] ... 

     on February 3, 1955.
  • Stephen Colbert Stephen Colbert

    Stephen Tyrone Colbert is a four-time Emmy Award [i]-winning American [i] comedian [i], actor [i] ... 

     has been a correspondent for Comedy Central's The Daily Show