South Carolina

“Hey y’all” is a genuine, expected greeting in South Carolina, not just politeness, part of a slower pace especially felt along the coast. The state’s nickname, “The Palmetto State,” comes from a 1776 battle in which a fort built from soft palmetto logs absorbed British cannonballs instead of shattering, still shown on the state flag.

Along the coastal Lowcountry, the Gullah Geechee people, descendants of enslaved West Africans, have kept their own language, crafts, and traditions alive for centuries, reflected in dishes like shrimp and grits and Carolina Gold Rice.

Historic Charleston preserves buildings from before the Civil War and colorful landmarks like Rainbow Row, while college football, especially in the SEC conference, is a serious social topic each fall.