Charleston is the official seat of the county of Charleston, and is so far the oldest city in the state of
South Carolina, in the United States. Charleston is also the largest city of South Carolina, and it remains the principal city of the statistical area of Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville.
The city was established in 1670and named after King Charles II of England. The ancient Charles town was a major party in the slave trade, the Golden Age of Piracy, as well as in the Revolutionary War.
The ancient life is still significantly featured in Charleston, with its cobblestone-themed streets and horse-drawn carriages. The ever-elegant French Quarter and Battery districts stand out with their ancient pastel antebellum houses, making one of the beautiful things to see in Charleston.
The Charleston Harbor stands prominent, surrounded by the Battery promenade and the graceful Waterfront Garden Park. This area has one of the most famous spots in the history of Charleston - Fort Sumter, across the water, remembered as the spot where the very first shots of the Civil War were heard.
Charleston is located to the southern part of the midpoint of the coastline of South Carolina, on Charleston Harbor, right where the Ashley River, the Cooper River, and the Wando River confluences.
Numerous beaches in Charleston, ancient historical museums, and themed gardens and natural parks offer many recreational and fun outdoor activities. The vibrant food scene features a wide array of both local and international cuisines, as does the active nightlife experienced in the numerous clubs and discos around town.
The city of Charleston experiences a humid subtropical climate which has been classified as Cfa under the Köppen climatic classification. The weather is majorly characterized by moderately mild winters and hot, humid summers. Ample rainfall is received in the city throughout the year, with most of it falling during summer.
The rainy season, especially during summer, might be accompanied by thunderstorms and mild flooding, and to a larger extent, possible hurricanes. Visitors are therefore advised accordingly.
Summer has the mercury stretching to highs of 87.1°F (30.6°C) and lows of 65.3°F (18.5°C) on average, coupled up with up to nine and a half sunshine hours per day. Humidity remains high at 78.1%, and the rainfall averages 6.4" (162.6mm) from twelve rainy days.
Winter is moderately dry, with the temperature averaging highs of 61.3°F (16.3°C) and lows of 24.1°F (-4.4°C). It might feel a lot warmer, thanks to up to five and a half sunshine hours per day. Autumn and spring are short, acting more as transitional periods.
Charleston has many tourist attraction spots that can be visited at any time during the year. The travel season, though, seems to peak during summer, specifically between
June and
August. Apart from having the best weather for the beach and outdoor activities, this season has most of the local events and celebrations that attract crowds from across the globe.
The Charleston Food and Wine Festival held in
March to celebrate the food scene, and the wine industry is one such event. The same applies to the Spoleto USA Arts Festival held between
May and June. Another event that has crowds attending from far and wide is the famed Fall Tour of Homes, held during the autumn season in
October.