Columbia is the biggest city within the state of South Carolina. The population of the city of Columbia is nearly 130,000 inhabitants, according to 2010 Census numbers. Columbia serves as the county seat to Richland County, even if a lot of the city extends into the County of Lexington. Columbia is a part of the biggest metropolitan statistical area within the state with roughly 767,600 inhabitants. The name Columbia originated from Christopher Columbus as a poetic term meant for the Americas.
The city is approximately 21km or 13 miles northwest of the state's geographic centre and is the center for the midlands area of the state of South Carolina. This particular region comprises numerous counties in the central part of the state. The city is located at the convergence of two rivers, the Saluda River and the Broad River which merges at Columbia and forms the Congaree River.
The city of Columbia was created in 1786 by the South Carolina General Assembly and was a very important centre for the overall development of the state of South Carolina. Like for instance, the Congarees was a frontier fort located on Congaree River's west bank and was the head of navigation in the Santee River system. During 1754, a ferry was established by the colonial government in order to connect the fort with the growing settlements situated on the east bank's higher grounds.
Columbia is on the fall line from the Appalachian Mountains, similar to numerous other major early settlements in colonial America. The fall line refers to the location where rivers normally become difficult to navigate when sailing upstream. It is likewise the place farthest downstream where often falling water can be used to power a mill.
The city enjoys a diversified economy. Some of the main employers consist of Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC, state government, the Palmetto Health Hospital system and the University of South Carolina. Furthermore, Fort Jackson, the United States Army's 2nd largest training facility, is likewise situated in the city of Columbia.
There are numerous company head offices located within the city of Columbia like for instance SCANA, a Fortune 500 company and a major supplemental insurance company called Colonial Supplemental Insurance. Moreover, Spectrum Medical, a global medical software company as well as a software development company, Collexis Holdings Inc. are situated nearby. 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 head offices within the city of Columbia also.
There are various major manufacturers with facilities in the city, like CMC Steel, Square D, Honeywell, International Paper, Trane, Spirax Sacro, Pirelli Cables, Westinghouse Electric, Harsco Track Tech and Solectron. The Columbia area consists of over 70 global affiliated companies.
Among the greatest assets within the area is the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. This is a sanctuary for more than 2000 animals. These creatures are housed in natural habitat exhibits along the Saluda River. Just across the river is the botanical garden. This 280,000 m2 or 70-acre botanical garden is devoted to woodlands, plant collections, gardens and historic ruins.