Charleston Local Info and Maps

The city of Charleston is located on the coast of central South Carolina. It is nestled next to the junction of the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. It was founded in 1670 as Charlestown, Carolina. The name was derived from the English King Charles II. The city adopted its present name in 1783. It is also known as the “Holy City” due to the number of church steeples that are visible across its skyline. It is the second most populated city in South Carolina behind the state capitol, Columbia. Charleston was also recognized as the "best-mannered" city in the U.S. in 1995 by Marjabelle Young Stewart.