Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina occupies nearly 180 square miles of the scenic landscape where the Ashley and Cooper rivers converge. Located just south of SC’s coastal midpoint, Charleston lies within Berkeley and Charleston counties. With a population of 96,650 residents (Census 2000 data), Charleston is the largest city and the seat of Charleston County. Estimates in 2007 report the current population as 118,492, ranking Charleston as SC’s second most populous city.

The judicial system in South Carolina is a diverse mix of trial and appellate courts:

• The Supreme Court is composed of a Chief Justice and four Associate Justices who are elected to a term of ten years by the General Assembly.
• The Court of Appeals, SC's newest court, hears most types of appeals from the Circuit Court and the Family Court.
• The Circuit Court has jurisdiction on all civil matters, which includes most personal injury claims.
• The Municipal Court and Magistrate Court systems handle small claims, traffic violations, preliminary hearings, and misdemeanors.
• The Family Court system handles domestic cases, juvenile offences and juvenile traffic violations.
• Probate Court handles estate and mental health matters. The Circuit Court and Magistrate Court generally determine cases involving credit and collections.
• The prosecutorial system is made up of the circuit solicitors and the Attorney General's Office.

The Charleston Air Force Base, Charleston County School District, and Medical University of South Carolina are among Charleston’s major employers, while the US Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) remains the largest employer in the Charleston metropolitan area. Charleston also has a busy port, consisting of five terminals, with plans for future expansion. Supply Chain Execs ranks the Port of Charleston number one in North America. Revenue generated by port activity ranks second only to tourism in Charleston’s burgeoning economy.

Students at the primary and secondary levels have access to numerous public schools throughout the Charleston County School District and the Berkeley County School District, with a wide range of private schools also available. Charleston’s higher learning facilities include Charleston Southern University, The Citadel, and the College of Charleston. The American College of the Building Arts and the Art Institute of Charleston are also located here.

Named for King Charles II of England, Charleston has a fascinating past, evident in the myriad museums, plantations, and Charleston's charming historic downtown. Charleston houses the nation’s third most significant Colonial building, the Old Exchange and Customs House. The building, which features a dungeon, once hosted several of the Declaration of Independence signers and several historic events for George Washington. This stately old structure, completed in 1771, remains a beloved fixture in downtown Charleston. Additional historic sites include the Charleston Tea Plantation, Fort Moultrie, Fort Sumter, Middleton Place, and Mt. Pleasant. Charleston’s other popular destinations include the Audubon Swamp Garden, Cypress Gardens, Charles Towne Landing, Daniel Island, Gibbes Museum of Art, and the South Carolina Aquarium.

Charleston, South Carolina features an ideal mix of modern amenities, southern hospitality, and small town ambiance. Ranked as the nation’s 6th best city to live in by Travel and Leisure Magazine in 2005, this graceful port city captures the spirit of life in the American South.

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