- The region was named Carolana, a word derived
from the Latin form of Charles, in reference to
the monarch. His son, Charles II, changed the
spelling of the region's name to Carolina in
1663. During the 17th century the area now
covered by the present state came to be called
South Carolina and the area to the north became
North Carolina.
- The two sections remained a single colony until
the British divided it into two in 1729.
- The state's most popular, although unofficial,
nickname is the Palmetto State. The palmetto,
which grows abundantly in coastal areas, is the
state tree and appears on the state seal and the
state flag.
- South Carolina ranks 40th in size among the
states, with an area of 80,779 sq km (31,189 sq
mi), including 2606 sq km (1006 sq mi) of inland
water and 186 sq km (72 sq mi) of coastal waters
over which it has jurisdiction.
- The maximum distance, from east to west, is 439
km (273 mi) and its maximum extent north to south
is 352 km (219 mi).
- Columbia is the states capital.
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