About Columbia

Founded in 1786, Columbia, South Carolina was named after Christopher Columbus. Chosen as the state's capital because of its central location, the city was originally just a fort on the banks of the Congaree River. The fort connected all the settlements up and down the Santee River system. This made the location of the capital important to the entire development of the state itself. The settlements leaders soon commissioned a town design of 400 blocks in 1805. Each property had stringent guidelines for construction. Streets and roads were built with requirements as well. This made Columbia the first planned city in South Carolina. Columbia was chartered as a municipality in 1854.

Mild winters, warm springs and autumns, and hot humid summers make up Columbia's sub tropical climate. Average low temperatures are 35 degrees in the winter with approximately 50 days a year where temperatures will dip to below freezing. Summer temperatures will climb to an average of 86 degrees, but 90 degree days are not uncommon. Annual rainfall averages 46 inches. The average snowfall is 1-2 inches each year. Columbia is the most populated city in South Carolina, and the home of the University of South Carolina. The largest metropolitan area in the state, Columbia is ranked 6th on list of "America's Most Affordable Places to Live." Not only affordable but Columbia has many attractions for the local and the tourist. Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens has been voted Columbia's most popular attraction. The South Carolina State Museum and Finley Park are others. Information on these attractions can be found in the South Carolina yellow pages.

There is no shortage of shopping centers in Columbia. The Columbiana Center and the Village at Sandhill are large centers with plenty of variety. The Five Points Neighborhood, the Divine Street Corridor and the historic Congaree Vista District all provide visitors the opportunity to peruse art work, antiques, clothing and jewelry in locally owned businesses. When business is the reason for visiting Columbia, the South Carolina business directory is a valuable tool for locating local businesses, meeting facilities, hotels, and conventions centers. The business directory is also a resource for local news, services and even delivery menus. Columbia, South Carolina has all the amenities of a larger metropolis. As an added bonus, southern hospitality abounds.

Written by Lyndsey Morgan