Columbia is the capital and largest city of the US state of South Carolina. It lies 13 miles northwest of the geographic center of the state and has a population of around 130,000. Columbia is the county seat of Richmond County, but a small part of it also falls under Lexington County. It is also the main center of the “Midlands” region, which also includes several counties. The name of the city is derived from the name of the navigator and discoverer of America, Christopher Columbus.
According to iamaccepted, Columbia was founded in 1786 as the new capital of South Carolina. It was thus one of the first planned cities in the United States of America. The area in which the city is situated is often mentioned for its high standard of living with a rich cultural offer, many parks and places for relaxation. More and more often, however, Columbia is referred to as an ideal city for retirees, who will find everything here to experience a peaceful and pleasant old age. The city was built near the confluence of two large rivers, making it a sought-after destination especially for kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts.
Downtown is crossed by the main street of Vista, which is home to an art gallery, plenty of restaurants, shops and office space. At its end you will find the State Museum and the Colonial Center. Important monuments of the city include the churches Trinity Episcopal Church, First Presbyterian Church or First Baptist Church. Interesting historical buildings are the Siebels House, the Robert Mills House, the Hampton-Preston Mansion or the DeBbruhl-Marshall House. For relaxation, locals go to Finlay Park, which is the largest and most visited park in the city center. It covers an area of 57 km2 and has been open since 1991. A bridge spans the Congaree River, in the vicinity of which is the protected area of Congaree National Park. The city’s most visited theater is the Trustus Theatre.
Columbia is also a student city, with several important schools and universities operating here. Here you will meet students from Allen University, Benedict College, Columbia College, Columbia International University, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary or Midlands Technical College.
Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park is located in South Carolina, about 20 miles southeast of the city of Columbia. The park protects a large area of long-lived deciduous trees that are among the tallest in the United States. There is a floodplain forest where the trees reach a height of up to 167 feet and their crowns are as wide as 100 feet.
The park covers an area of 89 km2 and the most common type of tree is cypress. On average ten times a year, the area is flooded by the Congaree River that flows through it. Thanks to this, a unique ecosystem is created here, and the park has become home to numerous species of animals. Here you can see, for example, black bears, coyotes, turtles, but also alligators and snakes.
Several hiking trails of various lengths pass through the park. Along the way, you can come across Wise Lake or Weston Lake, you will walk through the forest and enjoy the beautiful surrounding nature. Some trails are made up of wooden walkways. You can also explore the local nature during a canoe trip on Cedar Creek. The cruise takes about 4 hours and you need to book at least 2 weeks in advance if you are interested in it.
