South Carolina was part of the Carolinas until 1729. "Carolina" is rooted in Latin and comes from the word Carolus, translated as "Charles" – the name was given in honor of Charles II of England.

South Carolina is commonly called 'The Palmetto State' in reference to the official State Tree, the Sabal Palmetto. The nickname serves to honor the historical significance of the tree, which utilized in the palmetto-log fort helped withstood the barrage of British cannons during the 18th century Revolutionary War.

The history of modern South Carolina took shape when the first battle of the Civil War took place at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor in 1861. More notable is South Carolina's feat as the first state to secede from the Union to found the Confederate States of America.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the country is the Grand Strand, stretching 60 miles from Little River to Georgetown. South Carolina coastal region is also regarded as interesting – in ways 'out of the ordinary'. A large number of Carolina bays lining up northwest to southeast are distinct for their unusual features which are thought to have been created by a meteor shower. Meanwhile, the Sands Hill region in the western coastal plain contains remnants of old coastal dunes from a time when the land was sunken, or the oceans were higher.

Columbia is the capital and the largest city while Charleston impresses itself as the state's cultural center. Unique South Carolina culture includes the Shag! – unusually, the Official State Dance.

• University of South Carolina