Charleston is the largest city in South Carolina by Charleston Harbor on the Atlantic coastline. It’s a moderate-sized city with around 800,000 inhabitants.

This is an historic city with roots going back to 1670. There are lots of lovely old buildings because the Ashley and Cooper rivers. It’s a laid back city with a unique character including no tall buildings.

History of Charleston

Charleston was originally settled in 1670 as Charles Town after King Charles II but was relocated a decade later. Growth was rapid and within a further decade Charleston was the fifth largest city in the country.

The early history of Charleston was colonial, being run by the Lords Proprietors. The fortunes of the settlement ebbed and flowed thanks to disease and fluctuating population but in 1704, the area was fortified and settled further, including by pirates.

The city played a part in the American Revolution with battles being fought around the city and grew slowly but steadily after. The city also played a part in the American Civil War, being fought over by both Union and Confederate armies.

After the wars, the city was rebuilt and expanded. The economy embraced the military and tourism and eventually shipping, IT, technology and other industries.

Transport in Charleston

As a well-established city, Charleston has plenty of transport links.

Arrive by air and you’ll use Charleston International Airport (CHS). It’s located just northwest of the city and is linked by shuttle buses to Downtown.

Amtrak’s Palmetto and Silver Meteor both stop at a station perhaps 8 miles outside Downtown. There is no real light rail commuter service.

Buses are run by Greyhound and ACE Basin Express. Both operate services into and out of the city. Local buses are run by Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA).

There are also Historic Charleston City Tours running in the city center too.

Roads into Charleston include I-26, I-526, Route 17, Route 52, Route 78, SH 7, SH 30, SH 61, SH 171, SH 461 and SCH 700.

Major employers in Charleston

Major employers in Charleston include Joint Base Charleston, Medical University Of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston County School District, College of Charleston, City of Charleston, Trident Technical College, Roper St. Francis Healthcare, Boeing, Trident Health System, Walmart Inc., Robert Bosch LLC, Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC, Publix Supermarkets, iQor, T-Mobile, Cummins Turbo Technologies, Mahle Behr and Detyens Shipyards, Inc.

Neighborhoods of Charleston

Neighborhoods of Charleston include South of Broad, French Quarter, Harleston Village, Lower King, Ansonborough, Marion Square, Upper King Street, Elliottborough, Cannonborough, West Side, Hampton Park Terrace, East Central, Folly Beach, Grimball Gates, Downtown, Stiles Point, West Ashley, Summerville, Mount Pleasant, Kiawah Island, Hanahan, Upper King, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, North Charleston and Old Village.

Popular attractions in Charleston

Popular attractions in Charleston include Fort Sumter National Monument, Middleton Place Plantation, Waterfront Park, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Old City Market, USS Yorktown, Patriots Point, White Point Gardens, South Carolina Aquarium, Ravenel Bridge, Boone Hall Plantation, The Charleston Museum, Drayton Hall, Old Slave Mart Museum, Nathaniel Russell House, Aiken-Rhett House, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Calhoun Mansion and the Annual Festival of Houses.