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Physical Map of South Carolina - Geographical Features of South Carolina

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 03, 2026 | 15:40 ET

Physical Map of South Carolina showing the geographical features of the state such as rivers, lakes, mountain peaks, elevations, plateaus, plains, topography, water bodies and many other South Carolina physical features.

South Carolina Physical Map

Physical Features of South Carolina

South Carolina features a varied landscape that stretches from the Appalachian foothills in the northwest to the Atlantic coastal plains in the southeast. The state is divided into three main regions: the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Piedmont, and the Coastal Plain. The western region has rolling hills and low mountains, while the central area includes gently sloping terrain and river valleys. The eastern part consists of flat lowlands, marshes, and barrier islands along the Atlantic Ocean coastline.

Major Landforms in South Carolina

LandformTypeRegionDescription
Blue Ridge MountainsMountain rangeNorthwestLow mountain terrain
Piedmont PlateauPlateauCentralRolling hills region
Atlantic Coastal PlainPlainEastFlat sandy lowlands
Sandhills RegionHillsCentralSandy rolling hills
Coastal MarshesWetlandEastTidal marshlands
Barrier IslandsCoastalEastSandy offshore islands
Congaree FloodplainFloodplainCentralRiver floodplain forest
Inner Coastal PlainPlainCentral-EastSlightly elevated plain
Outer Coastal PlainPlainEastLow flat coastal area
Fall LineBoundaryCentralTransition between regions

Major Mountain Ranges in South Carolina

Mountain RangeRegionHighest PeakElevation
Blue Ridge MountainsNorthwestSassafras Mountain3,554 ft
Appalachian MountainsNorthwestSassafras Mountain3,554 ft
Saluda MountainsNorthwestJones Gap Area3,000 ft

Major Rivers and Water Bodies in South Carolina

NameTypeRegionNotable Feature
Savannah RiverRiverWestForms Georgia boundary
Pee Dee RiverRiverEastMajor eastern river
Santee RiverRiverCentralLargest river system
Congaree RiverRiverCentralFlows through Columbia
Edisto RiverRiverSouthLongest free flowing river
Lake MarionLakeCentralLargest lake in state
Lake MoultrieLakeCentralConnected reservoir
Hartwell LakeLakeWestHydroelectric reservoir
Winyah BayBayEastEstuarine coastal bay
Atlantic OceanOceanEastCoastal boundary

Elevation and Terrain in South Carolina

South Carolina’s elevation ranges from the higher Appalachian foothills in the northwest to sea level along the Atlantic coast. Sassafras Mountain is the highest point, while the lowest elevation lies at the coastline. The terrain includes mountains, hills, plains, and coastal wetlands.

FeatureElevation / Detail
Highest PointSassafras Mountain – 3,554 ft
Lowest PointAtlantic Ocean – sea level
Average Elevation350 ft
Terrain TypeMountains, plains, coastal

South Carolina Physical Map Facts

FeatureDetail
StateSouth Carolina
Total Area32,020 sq mi
Land Area30,061 sq mi
Water Area1,959 sq mi
Highest PointSassafras Mountain
Lowest PointAtlantic Ocean
Longest RiverSantee River
Largest LakeLake Marion
Major LandformsPiedmont, Coastal Plain
Main Water BodiesSavannah River, Atlantic Ocean
Terrain TypeDiverse and coastal terrain
CoastlineAtlantic Ocean coastline