Social Studies Standard 3-1.1

Six Landform Regions of SC

Six Landform Regions of SC SC is divided into six regions: Blue Ridge, Piedmont, Sand Hills, Inner Coastal Plain, Outer Coastal Plain, and Coastal Zone. Upcountry and Lowcountry are additional terms frequently used to identify areas within our state. Upcountry refers to land north of the fall line that bisects the Sand Hills region and includes the Blue Ridge and Piedmont.

Six Landform Regions of SC The Lowcountry refers to land south of the fall line and included the Inner Coastal Plain, Outer Coastal Plain, and the Coastal Zone.

Location of South Carolina South Carolina is located in the southeastern portion of the United States. It is bordered by North Carolina, Georgia, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Blue Ridge Region of SC The Blue Ridge Region is mountainous and has many hardwood forests, streams, and waterfalls. It is the smallest of the landform regions and includes the highest point, Sassafras Mountain. South Carolina’s mountains are part of the Appalachian Mountains.

Piedmont Region of SC The Piedmont Region is the foothills of the mountains and includes rolling hills and many valleys. The region was once a productive farming area but poor farming practices led to the erosion of the topsoil. The red clay that was left is not good for farming. One agricultural industry that thrives in the Piedmont is the farming of peaches. Waterfalls and swift flowing rivers provided the water power for early mills and the textile industry.

Sand Hills Region of SC The Sand Hills Region is the region that in ancient times was the seacoast and therefore includes relatively flat lands with sandy soil that is not good for growing crops. The Sand Hills region follows the fall zone of the state’s rivers where a drop in elevation results in rapids.

Coastal Plain of SC Inner Coastal Plain and Outer Coastal Plain The Coastal Plain includes the Inner Coastal Plain and the Outer Coastal Plain and makes up two-thirds of South Carolina. Large stands of trees promote the development of timbering in the region. Well-drained soil, sufficient annual rainfall and a long growing season promotes agriculture, such as the cotton and soybeans.

Coastal Zone of SC The Coastal Zone is a ten mile wide stretch of land from the Atlantic coast inland. It includes barrier islands that protect the coast from erosion due to tides and storms. The coastal zone includes a number of natural harbors. It also includes marshes that were used for growing rice during the 1700s. Today, the region relies heavily on the tourism industry which includes historic sites, golf, and the beach itself. The port of Charleston is one of the busiest on the east coast of the United States.