South Carolina Cities and Towns
The Palmetto State  8th State

Climate & Weather:

South Carolina's climate is mild and humid. Its long coast lies near the Gulf Stream, which keeps coastal areas warmer in winter and cooler in summer than the interior. The mountains in the northwest help protect the rest of the state from cold air, but the higher elevations are usually cooler in summer and colder in winter than the rest of the state.

January temperatures are mild, with some days below freezing along the coast, but most range 37-59 F/3-14 C. Expect temperatures to run 53-76 F/11-24 C along the coast in April, 61-83 F/16-27 C in May. Some severe thunderstorms or tornadoes can occur in spring. Visitors will find pleasant conditions at the beaches through the fall, though summers are hot (high 80s F/30 C to above 90 F/32+ C) and humid. Humidity at 50%-60% in high heat can be quite exhausting, so if you visit in the warm-weather months, pace yourself.

Fall can be a pleasant time to visit. The humidity during these months is generally fairly comfortable and temperatures are in the 55-84 F/12-28 C range. Indian summers can last through November, with dry days and temperatures from the low 40s F/5 C to the mid 60s F/18 C.

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Firsts, Facts, Trivia:  

The largest organized Native American nation remaining in South Carolina is the PeeDee, with a population of about 2500 in four northeastern counties.

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Featured Tourist Spots:

Museum of Confederate History - The 16th South Carolina Volunteers Museum of Confederate History boasts a large and growing collection of artifacts and memorabilia from the War Between the States.  The collection includes firearms, photographs, flags, edged weapons, currency, clothing, letters, newspapers, and other items from military and home life.

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South Carolina History:

Following exploration of the coast in 1521 by Francisco de Gordillo, the Spanish tried unsuccessfully to establish a colony near present-day Georgetown in 1526 and the French also failed to colonize Parris Island near Fort Royal in 1562.
The first English settlement was made in 1670 at Albemarle Point on the Ashley River, but poor conditions drove the settlers to the site of Charleston (originally called Charles Town). South Carolina, officially separated from North Carolina in 1729, was the scene of extensive military action during the Revolution and again during the Civil War. The Civil War began in 1861 as South Carolina troops fired on federal Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor and the state was the first to secede from the Union.

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