Blue Ridge Region
The Blue Ridge Region of South Carolina is the smallest of the regions. It is found in the northwest corner of the state. The Piedmont Region is to the east. The state of North Carolina is to the north. The state of Georgia is to the west. The region got its name because the Blue Ridge Mountains run through it. These are the only mountains in South Carolina. There are many hardwood forests and mountains to hike in this region. There are also many rivers and streams to go white water rafting. People travel to this region to enjoy the outdoor activities and to admire the beautiful view.
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The area's high hills and low mountains (highest is 3,560-foot Sassafras Mountain) are home to the Cherokee people, once the largest group of Native Americans in the southeast. Traditions and customs of the Cherokee, and Scots Irish settlers who arrived in the 17th century, pervade the cultural landscape of the Blue Ridge. The area is home to the most diverse community of animals and plants in the state, and is popular among hikers, naturalists, hunters, and anglers. Fast moving, whitewater rivers of the Blue Ridge are a playground for canoeists and kayakers.
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The Blue Ridge contains the most diverse group of animals and plants in the state. Hardwood forests of the Blue Ridge area are the result of cooler, moister climates found at higher elevations. The American chestnut, once a common upcountry hardwood, was decimated by a fungal disease in the early 20th century. Today, forests of hickory, oak, white pine, beech, hemlock and tulip poplar cover the landscape. Shrubs such as azalea and rhododendron are common in Blue Ridge forests. Nearly 90 percent of the Blue Ridge is forested, leaving little land for farming. Timber from these unique hardwood forests is one of the area's most valuable organic resources. Steep and rugged terrain makes it difficult to plant row crops, and erosion can be severe. Corn, hay, and apples are grown on small farms found in coves and valleys.
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