Charleston, South Carolina's history is one of the longest and most diverse of any community in the United States, spanning hundreds of years of physical settlement from 1670 through modern times. Charleston was the leading city in the South from the colonial era to the Civil War. The city grew wealthy by exporting rice and, later, sea island cotton, and it was the base for many wealthy merchants and landowners.
The devastation of the Civil War and the ruin of Charleston's hinterland lost the city's regional dominance. However, it remained the center of the South Carolina economy, while in politics, the upstate politicians routinely attacked its aristocratic and undemocratic tone. Beginning during World War II, Charleston became a significant naval base. In recent decades, tourism and service industries have led the economy to a new level of prosperity.
There are endless ways to explore Charleston. With so many sights to see, so much rich history to uncover, and an endless supply of local haunts to discover, it can be hard to choose where to start. Whether you're looking to immerse yourself in a rich coastal culture, hop on a tour, splash in the waves, or find your bliss in a spa oasis, you'll find what you are looking for here in Charleston.