18 Things You Need to Know About Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is a port city in the US state of South Carolina. It is home to 1,34,000 residents. The city was founded in 1670, and boasts of many historical attractions.

1. Pineapples are a symbol of hospitality in Charleston.

2. Charleston is dubbed the 'Holy City' owing to its great number of churches.

3. Charleston was the venue of the first ever game of golf played in the country.

4. Opened in 1804, the bustling Charleston City Market is one of the oldest public markets of US.

5. Established in 1773, the beautiful Charleston Museum is the USA's oldest museum.

6. The city boasts of America's first theater namely - the Dock Street Theater, which was constructed way back in 1736.

7. In 1886, Charleston experienced a 7.8-magnitude earthquake, which is the biggest ever earthquake recorded in the southeast of the country.

8. The city once had the biggest number of Jewish residents among all cities in North America.

9. Early in its history, Charleston experienced frequent pirate attacks.

10. The Ashley and Cooper Rivers bordering the charming city's historic central district, get their names from Anthony Ashley Cooper, the first Earl of Shaftesbury.

11. In 2016, Charleston was named the best city in the world for tourists by Travel + Leisure Magazine.

12. The city boasts of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge - North America's longest cable-stayed bridge.

13. The city is nearly identical in layout to Bridgetown, a town located in Barbados.

14. Way back in 1861, The American Civil War's first shots were fired in this city, at Fort Sumter.

15. Most enslaved Africans transited Charleston before arriving in other parts of US.

16. The original name of the city was Charles Town. Post the American Revolution, it was renamed Charleston.

17. Charleston is the largest city of South Carolina, as well as one of the oldest in the US.

18. The city hosts the annual Spoleto USA festival, which is a 17-day performing arts extravaganza.