Columbia is the largest city in the state of South Carolina. The population of the city of Columbia is nearly 130,000 people, according to 2010 Census numbers. Columbia serves as the county seat to the County of Richland, though a lot of the city extends into Lexington County. Columbia is a part of the biggest metropolitan statistical area in the state with 767,598 people. The name Columbia originated from Christopher Columbus as a poetic term meant for the Americas.
The city is approximately 13 miles or 21 km northwest of the geographic centre of the state and is the center for the midlands region of the state of South Carolina. This region comprises numerous counties in the central part of the state of South Carolina. The city of Columbia is located at the convergence of two rivers, the Broad River and the Saluda River that merges at the city of Columbia and forms the Congaree River.
The city was created during 1786 by the South Carolina General Assembly and was a vital centre for the overall development of the state of South Carolina. For example, the Congarees was a front line fort situated on the west bank of the Congaree River and was the head of navigation in the Santee River system. In the year 1754, the colonial government established a ferry to connect the fort with the growing settlements located on the east bank's higher grounds.
The city of Columbia is along the Appalachian Mountain fall line, similar to a lot of colonial America's earliest settlements. The fall line is the place where the many of the rivers become more difficult to navigate when sailing upriver. It is likewise the location farthest downstream where often falling water can be utilized to power a mill.
The city of Columbia enjoys a diversified economy. Amongst the main employers include state government, Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC, University of South Carolina and the Palmetto Health Hospital System. Moreover, Fort Jackson, the U.S. Army's 2nd biggest training facility, is also in Columbia.
There are various company headquarters located within the city of Columbia including a fortune 500 company, SCANA and a major supplemental insurance company referred to as Colonial Supplemental Insurance. Furthermore, Spectrum Medical, an international medical software corporation and Collexis Holdings Inc. a software development business are situated in the vicinity. First Citizens Bank, one of the largest banks within the state, as well as a major national law firm known as Nelson Mullins have their headquarters in the city of Columbia too.
Several major manufacturers who have facilities in Columbia consist of CMC Steel, Square D, International paper, Honeywell, Trane, Spirax Sacro, Westinghouse Electric, Pirelli Cables, Harsco Track Tech and Solectron. The Columbia region includes over 70 foreign affiliated companies.
The Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is one of the best assets in the region as it serves as a sanctuary for over 2000 animals. The animals are housed along the Saluda River in natural habitat exhibits. The botanical garden is situated just across the river. This 280,000 m2 or 70-acre botanical garden is devoted to plant collections, woodlands, gardens and historic ruins.