Settled by the English in 1670, South Carolina was based on a plantation culture with an aristocratic, wealthy society that was dependent on black slave labor. One of the original 13 colonies, South Carolina was first formed in 1729 when the Carolina colony was divided in two to form North and South Carolina. The attack on Fort Sumter in the Charleston harbor launched the Civil War. After the war, the structure of the state changed. Today, South Carolina is a growing research center and banking state. It is fitting that the state tree of the "Palmetto State" is the cabbage palmetto, which also appears on the state flag. The flower is the yellow jessamine, and the capital is Columbia. State Flower: Carolina yellow jessamine State Motto: Prepared in mind and resources; While I breathe, I hope State Nickname: Palmetto State State Bird: Carolina wren Land area: 30,111 sq mi. -Length: 260 miles - Width: 200 miles 10 largest cities (1999 est.): Columbia, 111,821; Charleston, 89,063; North Charleston, 84,106; Greenville, 56,873; Rock Hill, 48,474; Sumter, 46,111; Mount Pleasant, 44,785; Spartanburg, 40,704; Hilton Head Island, 31,181; Florence, 30,053; - Persons per square mile (1999): 129.0 | ||||||
