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SCSouth Carolina Map
South Carolina on the US map
South Carolina sits in the South region of the United States — specifically the deep south subregion as defined by the US Census Bureau. With an area ranking of #40 of 50, South Carolina is one of the smallest US states by total area. The map above highlights South Carolina in gold and color-codes the 49 other states by region.
Whether you're a student studying US geography, a traveler planning a road trip, a teacher building a lesson plan, or simply curious, the goal of this page is to give you a complete picture of where South Carolina is and what surrounds it. Click any other state on the map above to navigate to its dedicated page.
Capital and largest city
The capital of South Carolina is Columbia — which is also the largest city in the state. About 17 of the 50 US state capitals also hold the title of largest city; South Carolina is one of them.
The historical reason for these mismatches dates to the late 18th and 19th centuries. When state founders chose capitals, they often deliberately picked smaller, more centrally located towns to avoid concentrating political and commercial power in the same place. They worried that a capital in a major port or commercial city would be too vulnerable to mob influence (a real concern at the time) and would skew political decisions toward commercial interests.
Borders and neighbors
South Carolina shares land borders with 2 other US states: North Carolina, Georgia. Each link goes to that state's dedicated page where you can see its own map, history, and facts.
Geographic features at a glance
- Total area rank: #40 of 50
- Population: 5 to 10 million
- Coastline: atlantic
- Mountain ranges: appalachians
- Time zone: Eastern
- Region: South — deep south subregion
- Appalachian range: yes
Major highways and transportation
South Carolina is connected to the rest of the country by the federal Interstate Highway System (planned by President Eisenhower in the 1950s). Major airports serve Columbia, with regional connections to the rest of the state. Amtrak rail service connects parts of South Carolina to the national passenger rail network, though geographic isolation and population density vary.
South Carolina notable firsts
- Birthplace of one or more US presidents
- One of the 13 original colonies
🌟 South Carolina trivia
- The Civil War started here when Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, April 12, 1861.
- SC produces over 10% of US peaches — more than Georgia in most years.
- The first opera house in the US opened in Charleston in 1735.
- Sweet tea is the unofficial state drink — it's served everywhere from gas stations to weddings.
South Carolina vs similar states
How does South Carolina compare with 3 other states in the same region and size category?
| State | Capital | Pop | Area rank | Admitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | Columbia | 5 to 10 million | #40 | 1788 |
| Alabama | Montgomery | 1 to 5 million | #30 | 1819 |
| Arkansas | Little Rock | 1 to 5 million | #29 | 1836 |
| Kentucky | Frankfort | 1 to 5 million | #37 | 1792 |
Bordering states (2)
South Carolina shares borders with 2 other US states, listed alphabetically below. Each link goes to the dedicated state page.
Practice US geography daily — free
Statedoku is a 3×3 daily geography puzzle. South Carolina appears as an answer or constraint clue on most days that match its region, borders, time zone, or quirks. Five minutes a day.
Play today's puzzle →Similar states to South Carolina
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