CAROLINA, SOUTH, one of the United States, is bounded on the north by North Carolina, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the south-west and west by Georgia. It lies between 78. 24. and 83. 30. of west longitude, and between 32. and 35. 8. of north latitude. It is 200 miles long by 125 broad, and contains 30,000 square miles. This state is naturally divided into Upper and Lower Carolina. The latter is supposed to have been formerly under the ocean. To the extent of an hundred miles westward from the sea, the country presents a dull uniformity of gigantic forests, swamps, and level fields. This plain is succeeded by a range of little sand hills, which cover a surface of sixty miles, and resemble the undulations of an agitated sea. It is extremely barren, and only here and there enlivened by a small oasis of verdure, or a few straggling pines. Its scanty inhabitants earn a subsistence by the cultivation of corn and sweet potatoes. Stretching beyond these sand hills there is a remarkable tract of ground called the Ridge, which, on approaching it from the sea, is lofty and bold; but on the north-west it is level from its summit. This fine belt of land extends from Savannah to Broad River. It is fertile and well cultivated. Succeeding this ridge, the country is a pleasant alternation of hill and dale; and large rivers roll their broad columns of water through the varied beauties of luxuriant and well-cultivated fields. From these fertile regions the ground continues to rise to the western limits of the state, where several mountains run in a regular direction, the principal of which is called Table Mountain. The others are Oolenoy, Oconee, Paris's Glassey, Hogback, and Kings. The chief rivers are the Waccamaw, Pedee, Black River, Santee, Cooper, Ashly, Stono, Edisto, Asheppo, Cambahee, Coosaw, Broad, and Savannah.
The soil of South Carolina is divided into six classes, first, tide swamp; second, inland swamp; third, high river swamp, or low grounds, distinguished by the name of second low grounds; fourth, salt marsh; fifth, oak and hickory high land; sixth, pine barren. The first two classes are best adapted for rice and hemp; the third for hemp, corn, and indigo; the fourth has been much neglected; the fifth, which is very fertile, for corn, indigo, and cotton; and the last is the least productive, but so much more salubrious than the other soils of the low country, that a proportion of it is an indispensable appendage to every swamp plantation. The staple commodities of this state are cotton and rice, of which great quantities are annually exported. These crops are the most profitable, and hence the planters have almost totally neglected the cultivation of wheat, barley, oats, and other articles equally useful. Of wheat, in particular, so little is raised, that large quantities require to be imported. Tobacco thrives well, as do various kinds of fruits, such as pears, pomegranates, and water melons. The latter grow to an enormous size, and are thought superior to any in the world. In favourable years vegetation continues for about eight months. The frosts are severe; but they seldom penetrate deeper than two inches into the earth, or continue longer than three or four days. At some seasons the weather is very variable. The temperature has been known to vary forty-six degrees in one day. In summer there are several days of excessive heat, and the nights also are sometimes extremely sultry. The low country is infested with all those diseases which are incidental to a warm, moist, and unelastic atmosphere. Of these the most frequent are fevers, from which the inhabitants suffer severely. The upper districts, however, enjoy a very salubrious climate.
The planters in the low country live in a luxurious and splendid style; those in the upper country are of more frugal and industrious habits. The labour of the fields is principally performed by slaves, who in the low country exceed the free inhabitants in the ratio of three to one. Charleston is the largest town, but Columbia is the seat of government. The legislature consists of a senate and house of representatives, who are chosen biennially. In its moral and religious aspect this state bears a resemblance to North Carolina. In 1827 the value of the imports amounted to 1,434,106, and the exports to 8,322,561 dollars. In 1810 the population was 415,115, and in 1820 to 502,741.