State Symbols of South Carolina

By | Updated on January 22, 2023

Reviewed by Rittika

South Carolina is a constituent state of the United States of America. It is located in the coastal Southeastern region of the U.S. South Carolina was named after King Charles I of England, who founded the English colony. Carolus is Latin for “Charles”. Due to the abundance of Sabal palmetto trees, South Carolina’s official nickname is The Palmetto State. In 1939, South Carolina made the Sabal palmetto its official state tree.

The English established a significant settlement in the area in 1670.  In 1710 the region was separated into two colonies, North and South Carolina. Slaves were brought from Africa to labor on European plantations. South Carolina was the site of major involvement during the American Revolutionary War. On May 23, 1788, South Carolina became the 8th state to ratify the United States Constitution. South Carolina’s state flag was approved on January 28, 1861. It was readmitted to the United States on July 9, 1868, after the American Civil War.

It is bordered by North Carolina to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and Georgia to the southwest across the Savannah River.

The state’s capital is Columbia, and its largest city is Charleston.

The total area of North Carolina is 32,020 sq mi (82,933 sq km). The state is the fortieth most extensive state. The state’s total population, according to the census 2020, is 5,118,425 making it the twenty-third most populous state in the United States.

The fun fact is the state’s famous Sea Pines Shell Ring. The Sea Pines Shell Ring is a fascinating circle of 4,000-year-old shells on Hilton Head Island. It might have served as a place of worship or rituals for Native Americans. It is Hilton Head Island’s oldest known archaeological site. 

The woods of South Carolina cover more than 67% of the state and are one of the state’s most valuable natural resources. South Carolina’s economy in the early 21st century is based on industries such as agribusiness aerospace, car manufacturing, and tourism.

There are two state mottos in South Carolina that surround the two ovals on the state seal. “Animis Opibusque Parati” (Prepared in Mind and Resources) is on the left. “Dum Spiro Spero” (While I Breathe I Hope) is on the right. 

In 1948, South Carolina made the Carolina wren its official state bird. Yellow jessamine was named South Carolina’s official state flower in 1924.

In 1987, South Carolina declared English the official state language.

State Information

Official Language	English
State Rank	40
Demonym(s)	South Carolinian
Nickname	The Palmetto State
ISO	US-SC
Formation Date	May 23, 1788
Coordinates	Lat: 32°2′ N to 35°13′ N, Long: 78°32′ W to 83°21′ W
Area

State seal

Motto of South Carolina

Dum spiro spero -'While I breathe, I hope'

State symbols of South Carolina 👇

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  State capital
  Columbia
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  State bird
  Carolina Wren
• 
  State flower
  Yellow jessamine
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  State fruit
  Peach
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  State tree
  Sabal palmetto
• 
  State dance
  Square dance (State American Folk Dance); Richardson waltz (State waltz)
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  State reptile
  Loggerhead sea turtle
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  State insect
  American Burying Beetle
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  State vegetable
  Collard Greens
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  State gemstone
  Amethyst
• 
  State animal
  White-tailed deer
• 
  State dish
  Barbecue
• 
  State fish
  Striped bass

State location

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