Maps of South Carolina

South Carolina is a southeastern state located in the United States. North Carolina, Georgia, and the Atlantic Ocean border it. The geography of South Carolina possesses four distinct regions within its 32,020 square miles: the Sea Islands Region, Atlantic Coastal Plain Region, Piedmont Plateau Region, and Blue Ridge Mountains Region.

The Sea Islands Region runs along the entire coast of South Carolina, from Little River to St Helena Sound. This region is known for its sandy shores and warm temperatures year-round. It extends roughly 25 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. It includes five major rivers - Santee River, Waccamaw River, Edisto River, and Savannah River - and several smaller creeks and estuaries. The most famous sea islands include Capers Island Preserve near Charleston and Hilton Head Island by Savannah.

The Atlantic Coastal Plain Region is located between the Sea Islands and Piedmont Plateau Region and covers approximately two-thirds of the state's total land area. This region is mostly flat, with gently rolling hills covered in pine forests. Its terrain varies from low marshlands along the coast to higher elevations near its northern border with North Carolina. Major lakes and reservoirs in this region include Lake Marion near Sumter; Lake Moultrie near Moncks Corner; Lake Wylie near Charlotte; Jocassee Reservoir near Salem; Lake Hartwell on the Georgia border; and Lake Murray northwest of Columbia.

Moving northward toward Columbia lies the Piedmont Plateau Region, which stretches from north of Augusta to south of Charlotte on both sides of Interstate 77/85. The Piedmont Plateau rises from 400 to 1,000 feet above sea level at its highest point in the northwest corner near Table Rock State Park. This area is known for its rolling hills blanketed in deciduous forests full of hardwood trees like maple or oak and evergreen trees like pine or spruce. Wildlife includes deer, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, black bears, bobcats, coyotes, and eagles.

The Blue Ridge Mountains are a mountain range in northwest South Carolina, spanning from Cherokee County to the northern tip of Oconee County. The mountains are part of the Appalachian Mountain chain, and its highest peak is Sassafras Mountain, topping out at 3,553 ft. The mild climate makes it hospitable for the growth of evergreen forests, such as pine and fir trees, while numerous wildlife species, such as black bears and deer, inhabit the area. In addition, the Blue Ridge Mountains are a source of freshwater due to innumerable rivers and streams, which also produce hydroelectric power.

Counties Map

The State of South Carolina is divided into 46 counties. In alphabetical order, these counties are: Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Florence, Georgetown, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lee, Lexington, Marion, Marlboro, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Sumter, Union, Williamsburg, York.

With an area of 89,932 sq. km, the State of South Carolina is the 40^th largest and the 23^rd most populous state in the USA. Located in the state’s center at the confluence of three rivers (where the Saluda River and the Broad River merge to form the Congaree River) is Columbia – the capital and the 2^nd largest city of South Carolina. It serves as the administrative, education, and commercial center of the state. It also hosts Fort Jackson – the largest US Army installation for Basic Combat Training. Situated in the southeastern part of the state on the Charleston Harbor is Charleston – the largest city in South Carolina.  The city of Charleston serves as the chief port and cultural hub of the state.

Where is South Carolina?

The State of South Carolina is located in the south-eastern region of the United States. South Carolina is bordered by the states of North Carolina in the north; and by Georgia in the southwest. It is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean in the southeast.

Regional Maps: Map of North America