Ms. Flanagan 3rd Grade South Carolina Social Studies

Standard 3-1

The regions of South

Carolina

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Blue Ridge

Piedmont

Sandhills

Summary

Inner and Outer Coastal Plain

Coastal Zone

South Carolina Regions:

Blue Ridge

Physical Features: Blue Ridge Mountains The Blue Ridge Mountain Region is only

2% of South Carolina land mass. Many bodies of water in South Carolina

start in the mountain area The Blue Ridge Mountains are the oldest

mountains in America! Blue Ridge Mountains are folding

mountains

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge

Natural Resource: Water• Lake Keowee • Chattooga River Area• Many waterfalls

What do you think a Natural Resource is?

Climate Humid temperate climate. High amount of rainfall; 60-70 inches. The Blue Ridge region receives a lot of rain

because it is elevated. Snows in the winter. Almost ten degrees cooler in the summer

than most regions.

Blue Ridge

Why is the Blue Ridge Region cooler than most regions in the summer? Why does it rain frequently?

Piedmont

Physical Features: “Piedmont” means: foot of the

mountain. This region begins at the “foot” of the

Blue Ridge region. Contains low, rolling hills and many

valleys. This region contains many rocks, some

are 300 million years old!

Piedmont

Natural Resources:Red Clay The Piedmont region was once used for

farming in South Carolina. Poor farming practices led to the erosion

of the topsoil. Erosion- gradual destruction. The soil now contains red clay that is

impossible to farm. Red clay is a natural resource that yield

more than 38 million dollars in raw materials a year!

Piedmont

Natural Resources: Water Pee Dee River basin Savannah River basin starts in the

Piedmont. Many river basins start here. River basin: land that water flows on

when it is on its way to the river.

Piedmont

South Carolina Rivers

South Carolina have FOUR major river systems Let’s Sing!

Four River Systems (to the tune of the ABC’s

If you want you can sing, The four river systems along with

me! Pee Dee, Santee, and Edisto Too!

Then Savannah and –we-are-Through!

If you want you can sing, The four river system along with

me!

Climate Summer is mild when compared to

other regions, with a high around 90 degrees.

On average, they receive 4 inches of snow in the winter.

Low humidity On average receives 49 inches of rain

per year which is a lot!

Piedmont

How do you think rain is measured?

Sandhills

Do we live in the Sandhill Region?

Think about our soil….

Physical Features The Sandhills are also called the Midlands. Rolling hills Rough and sandy soil The Sandhills once was the coastline of South

Carolina which is why it contains sand and hilly sand dunes.

The Sandhills regions begins at the fall line. Fall line: places in the earth that drop or “fall” which

can sometimes create waterfalls. The fall line is a natural border between the

Sandhillls and the Piedmont.

Sandhills

What caused the Sandhills to move away from the coast line?

Natural Resource: Water The fall line in the Sandhills causes the

rivers to become rapids because of the drop of elevation.

Elevation: height above sea level. The water acts as a natural boundary

between higher and lower land.

Sandhills

Climate The sandhills produce frequent

thunderstorms. Temperatures average 100 degrees

during the Summer. Mild Winters Very humid The climate allows for a large population

of reptiles and amphibians, such as the Gopher Tortoise.

Why is the sandhills an ideal climate for reptiles?

Sandhills

Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve Wildlife sanctuary located in Aiken. Created to provide the Gopher Tortoise a

place to survive, owned by state government

Sandhills

Gopher Tortoise

Inner Coastal Plain

Physical Features Hilly and contains many trees. Great soil for farming. Coastal Plain: area of flat land along the

ocean. The inner and outer coastal plans covers

more than half of the state.

Inner and Outer Coastal Plain

Natural Resources:Trees and Soil

Both outer plains have large forests that we use for timber.

Timber: wood prepared for use in building and carpentry.

The soil in the outer plain region is ideal for growing crops such as rice and cotton.

Inner and Outer Coastal Plain

Why do you think the Inner and Outer Coastal Plains are ideal for growing crops?

Climate This region is ideal for growing crops

because: sufficient annual rainfall Subtropical climate (warm summers and

cool winters) The subtropical climate creates a long

growing season

Inner and Outer Coastal Plain

Coastal Zone

Physical Features This region is closest to the ocean. Long, narrow, and sandy Ten mile wide stretch of land from the

Atlantic coast inland. Includes barrier island that protect the

coast from erosion due to tides and storms. Includes many natural harbors. Natural harbors: a naturally formed body of

water where ships can seek shelter from stormy weather.

Coastal Zone

What other natural barriers are in South

Carolina? Do you remember what they

protect?

Do you remember what erosion

is?

Natural Resource: Water

Edisto river system begins in the coastal zone.

The coastal zone has many marsh lands and swamps.

The marsh lands were ideal for growing rice during the 1700s.

South Carolina has almost 200 miles of coastline!

Coastal Zone

Have you ever been to the beach? Discuss with your table what your favorite beach in South Carolina is!

Climate Tropical climate Hot summers and cool winters Heavy rain Severe weather such as tornados and

Hurricanes frequently happen in this region.

Coastal Zone

Name all the regions of South Carolina

Summary: South Carolina can be broken up into

regions that are geographically the same Blue Ridge Piedmont Sandhills Inner and Outer Costal Plain Coastal Zone