city of columbia
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 Columbia is located in Richland County and a portion of the City is in Lexington County. The county was formed in 1785. Columbia serves as the county seat of Richland County and also serves as the state capital of South Carolina.. In 1786 the state legislature decided to move the capital from Charleston to a more central location. A site was chosen in Richland County, the geographic center of the state, and a new town was laid out. Columbia subsequently became not only the center of government but an important trade and manufacturing center. Cotton from the surrounding plantations was shipped through Columbia and later manufactured into textiles there.
Columbia is also known for its educational institutions, particularly the University of South Carolina, which was founded in 1802. The diversification of the local economy has flourished in part due to the area being at the heart of South Carolina's transportation hub. Richland County is served by three interstate highway systems, I-26, I-77, and I-20, and eight major U.S. highways. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport, situated six miles southwest of Columbia's central business district, offers air passenger and cargo services by a variety of air carriers. With numerous rivers running through the county and nearby Lake Murray, fishing and boating are popular activities. The South Carolina State Museum and Columbia Museum of Art are located in downtown Columbia, and Riverbanks Zoological Park and Botanical Garden offers a relaxing and entertaining educational experience for the entire family. |
