
Arizona is in the Southwest and sometimes in the Mountains of the Western United States. In terms of its size and population, it ranks 6th among the 50 states. Phoenix is its capital and largest city.
The state of South Carolina, located in the southeast, has a coast of subtropical beaches and marshes. Charleston's coastal area is characterized by pastel-colored houses, Old South plantations, and Fort Sumter where the Civil War began. In the north is the Grand Strand, a roughly 60-mile stretch of beachfront known for golf courses and Myrtle Beach as a vacation destination. Aerospace, agribusiness, automotive manufacturing, and tourism make up South Carolina's economy.
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The area now known as South Carolina may have been settled over 50,000 years ago. There have been Native American tribes here for thousands of years, such as the Cherokee, Creek, and Santee.
An English settlement was established in the region in 1670. The territory was divided in 1710 into two colonies, North and South Carolina. In the following years, European settlers established plantations to grow rice and indigo. These plantations employed slaves from Africa.
Soon after, South Carolina and the rest of the American colonies declared independence from England. As a result, the American Revolution began in 1775. More battles were fought in South Carolina than in any other colony during the war. The state was admitted to the Union in 1788.
Before the Civil War began in 1861, South Carolina was the first state to leave the Union. In 1868, it was admitted back to the Union.
Among the mammals that live here are wild pigs, bobcats, gray foxes, and river otters. Carolina chickadees and Carolina wrens are two of the state's avian species. Reptiles found in South Carolina include American alligators, corn snakes, and gopher tortoises. Also found in the state are amphibians like the eastern narrowmouth toad and the pine barrens tree frog.
The palmetto may be South Carolina's most famous tree, however other trees such as loblolly pines, live oaks, and southern magnolias also grow here. In addition to the Carolina wild petunia, there is also the Carolina phlox, Carolina desert-thorn, Carolina silverbell, and Carolina geranium, all of which bear the state's name.
More than 67 percent of South Carolina's land is forested, and forests are a major natural resource, especially loblolly pine. In addition to kaolin, mica, and vermiculite, South Carolina is one of the nation's top producers of these minerals.