Geographical regions of South Carolina facts for kids
The Geographical Regions of South Carolina are the main natural areas that make up the state. South Carolina has three big regions: the Appalachian Mountains in the west, the central Piedmont area, and the eastern Atlantic Coastal Plain. The Piedmont is the biggest region, found between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Carolina Sandhills. The Mountains region is the smallest part of the state.
The Mountains Region
The Mountains of South Carolina are part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. These mountains are a section of the much larger Appalachian Mountains, which stretch all the way from Maine to Alabama. This is the smallest natural region in South Carolina.
In South Carolina, the Mountains region is mostly made of very old rocks. These rocks were formed a very long time ago, even before dinosaurs existed!
The highest point in South Carolina's mountains is Sassafras Mountain. It stands about 3,533 feet (1,078 meters) tall and is located right on the border with North Carolina. Other important peaks include Pinnacle Mountain, which is the tallest mountain completely inside South Carolina, and Table Rock.
A short part of the South Carolina-North Carolina border follows the Eastern Continental Divide. This is like an imaginary line where rainwater on one side flows towards the Atlantic Ocean, and rainwater on the other side flows towards the Gulf of Mexico.
There are several cool state parks in this area. These include Table Rock State Park, Caesars Head State Park, and Jones Gap State Park. These three parks together form the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. You can also find Oconee State Park here.
No big cities are located right in the mountains. However, some smaller towns are found at the base of the mountains. These include Walhalla, Landrum, and Pickens.
Besides the parks, there are a few popular places to visit. These include the Chattooga River, Sumter National Forest, Lake Jocassee, and the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Parkway. Further south, you'll find Paris Mountain. This is a single mountain that stands alone, separated from the main Blue Ridge Mountains. It's located just north of Greenville and is home to Paris Mountain State Park.
The Piedmont Region
The Piedmont (United States) is the largest natural region in South Carolina. In this region, the rocks are also very old, but not quite as ancient as those in the Mountains.
The eastern edge of the Piedmont is called the Fall Line. This is where the hilly Piedmont suddenly drops down to the flat coastal plain. Several cities are located in the Piedmont, such as Greenville, Spartanburg, Rock Hill, and Greenwood.
Columbia, which is the capital city of South Carolina, is located right on the Fall Line. This is where the Broad River meets the Saluda River to form the Congaree River. The river goes over the Fall Line, which often creates waterfalls or rapids.
The Coastal Plain Region
The Coastal Plain is the region to the east and south of the Fall Line. This area is mostly flat and has very fertile land. It stretches from the Fall Line all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Coastal Plain is made up of younger rocks and sediments. Today, this region is very important for South Carolina's farming and textile industries because of its rich soil.
One of South Carolina's major cities, Charleston, is located in the Coastal Plain. Other cities you can find here include Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island, and Florence.
The Coastal Plain also has many barrier islands. Most of these are part of the Sea Islands, which stretch from north of Charleston down into northern Florida. The Sea Islands are home to the unique Gullah culture and language. This special culture was formed when enslaved people from different parts of Africa mixed their traditions and languages together.
The Sandhills
The Carolina Sandhills are a special part of the Coastal Plain. This area is about 10 to 35 miles wide. It starts near Fayetteville in North Carolina and extends south into South Carolina and Georgia.
The Sandhills are home to Sand Hills State Forest. The state capital, Columbia, is also located in the Sandhills, near the Congaree River.
Scientists believe the Carolina Sandhills were formed by wind-blown sand. This sand moved around in big sheets and dunes between about 75,000 and 6,000 years ago. Most of the sand was moved during the last ice age. At that time, the southeastern United States had colder air temperatures and stronger winds, which helped to shape these unique sand formations.
