South Carolina is located in the southeast of the USA and borders North Carolina and Georgia. The state's history is marked by the founding of the first permanent English settlement in 1670 and its role as one of the 13 founding states of the USA. The capital is Columbia. Typical for South Carolina is the variety of landscapes, ranging from mountains in the west to miles of coastline with beautiful beaches in the east. Agriculture, especially the cultivation of cotton, tobacco and rice, as well as the textile industry play an important role in the state's economy. South Carolina has many attractions to offer, including the historic port city of Charleston and the resort town of Myrtle Beach. South Carolina also has numerous state parks and nature preserves, such as Congaree National Park.