WHATS GREAT ABOUT
S OUTH C AROLINA?
REBECCA FELIX
Copyright 2015
by Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.
Content Consultant: Rod Andrew, Professor of
History, Clemson University
All rights reserved. International copyright
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Main body text set in ITC Franklin Gothic Std
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Typeface provided by Adobe Systems.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication
Data
Felix, Rebecca, 1984-
Whats great about South Carolina? /
by Rebecca Felix.
pages cm. (Our great states)
Includes index.
ISBN 9781467738613 (lib. bdg. :
alk. paper)
ISBN 9781467762632 (eBook)
1. South CarolinaJuvenile literature. I.
Title.
F269.3.F45 2015
975.7dc23
2014019886
Manufactured in the United States of America
1 PC 12/31/14
CONTENTS
SOUTH CAROLINA FACTS
SOUTH CAROLINA Welcomes You!
Does splashing down seaside waterslides sound fun? How about
horseback riding? Or hiking through waterfalls? If so, South Carolina
is the state for you! Here, historic mansions meet sandy beaches.
Forests cover the Blue Ridge Mountains. The state has rolling hills,
roller coasters, waterfalls, and water parks. Smell the boiled peanuts
and shrimp. Bluegrass music and the Gullah culture are also part
of South Carolinas identity. Read on to learn about ten things that
make this state great!
Explore South Carolinas
forests and all the places in
between. Just turn the page
to find out all about the
Palmetto State.
MYRTLE BEACH
Can you picture miles (97 kilometers) of
sandy beaches? You have just pictured the Grand
Strand in South Carolina. Strand comes from the
German word for beach. The Grand Strand is
the most popular strip of sandy beaches along
the East Coast. Myrtle Beach is at the center of
Grand Strand. This city is bursting with activity!
Visit Splashes. It is just one of the citys many
amusement parks. It is also a water park. Speed
and swoosh down giant slides right by the sea!
Myrtle Beach has many mini- golf courses. But
Hawaiian Rumble Mini Golf is the only one with
smoke and fire! Its course has a fake volcano. It
erupts several times an hour.
The main attraction at Myrtle Beach is the beach,
of course! Swim and build sandcastles. Or walk
the beachs busy boardwalk. It has ice cream
shops, stores, and live music. A Kids Carnival
is held every Monday night. See fireworks each
Wednesday night. The boardwalk is also home to
SkyWheel, a huge Ferris wheel. Hop on and view
South Carolina sights from up in the sky!
Myrtle Beachs SkyWheel Ferris
wheel is feet (57 meters) tall!
Spend the afternoon building
sandcastles at Myrtle Beach.
CHARLESTON
Charleston is a city of historic beauty and
modern fun. Do you hear the clip - clop of
hooves? It is the sound of horse - drawn
carriages. Take a ride on one through the
citys Historic District. See curtains of
droopy Spanish moss hanging from the
trees in Charleston. Would you rather go
for a walk? Follow a pirate around town
with Charleston Pirate Tours. A costumed
pirate and his live parrot are the guides.
Listen to real stories of pirate attacks as
you tour the city.
After touring the city, visit the South
Carolina Aquarium. It has more than
seven thousand sea creatures! View them
through the huge aquarium window. It
is the tallest window in North America.
Make sure to check out the - D theater
before you leave. A movie plays as water
splashes and wind swirls around you!
Youll see historic buildings, including
mansions, on your horse- drawn carriage
ride through Charleston.
The South Carolina Aquariums sea
creatures swim in 385,000 gallons
(1.5 million liters) of water!
FORT SUMTER
A small island off South Carolinas
coast holds a lot of history. Fort
Sumter is where the first battle of the
Civil War (18611865) took place.
A water taxi takes you to the site.
Watch the city of Charleston shrink
behind you. Look for dolphins racing
in the waves beside the boat!
As the boat lands, look closely at
the forts crumbling brick walls. More
than four thousand cannonballs
whizzed toward these walls during
the sites famous battle. Stop by
the island museum. See pictures
and learn more about the Battle of
Fort Sumter. Back on land, go to
the education center in Charleston
Harbor. Real newspapers and soldier
uniforms from the war are on display.
Stand next to real battle
cannons at Fort Sumter.
CIVIL WAR IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Abraham Lincoln was voted
president of the United States in
1860. At that time, slavery was
common across the South. Many
southerners worried slavery
would end under Lincolns
leadership. In December, South
Carolina seceded from the
United States. In the coming
weeks and months, so did other
southern states. A war began
between the Union (North) and
the Confederacy (South). The
first shots were fired at Fort
Sumter. The Union won the US
Civil War in 1865.