Although small in land area, South Carolina boasts rich geographical diversity. From the mountains to the sea, from the Savannah River to the Pee Dee River, the state features an array of settings and habitats, all formed over long periods of geologic time and human history. Each stage of the state's history has witnessed the creation of a distinctive environment, and this book explores those changing landscapes and the effect they have on South Carolina today. The authors emphasize the spatial patterns of South Carolina's economic and cultural geography since the first humans occupied the area. The book is divided into three parts–the physical setting, the historical setting, and contemporary South Carolina–and concludes with the identification of ten regional subdivisions based on the state's human geography. In this manner, the book provides a panorama of a distinctive region, an area where Old South meets New South and where the landscape is a product of the state's long history.

This book provides a comprehensive look into the geography of South Carolina, serving as an excellent companion to its history. William Gilmore Simms offers valuable insights into the state's physical features, climate, flora, and fauna, providing readers with a deeper appreciation for this unique region. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.