Myrtle Beach

(Tourist Area)

myrtle beach litho detail

Portion of NAPP infrared photograph of the Grand Strand (1989).

myrtle beach topo detail

Portion of topographic map of Myrtle Beach from the Myrtle Beach USGS quadrangle (1989).

Myrtle Beach (NAPP)

myrtle beach litho thumb

Myrtle Beach (Topo)

myrtle beach topo thumb

Rationale

Travel and tourism has become an increasingly important component of South Carolina's economy over the last thirty years. Tourism contributes both directly and indirectly to the state's economy. About fifty percent of tourist dollars are spent on food service and about twenty percent on lodging. The remainder generates employment in various service related industries, including transportation, recreation, entertainment, and retail trade. Although beaches have always been attractive to tourists, more and more visitors are looking for additional attractions such as amusement parks, theaters, golf courses, campgrounds, and convention facilities. The Myrtle Beach area has expanded to offer many of these extra features while still maintaining the family atmosphere that continues to draw millions of tourists from both in and out of state. Almost forty percent of all tourist dollars generated in South Carolina come from the Myrtle Beach area. Almost one-fifth of all State Park visits are recorded at Myrtle Beach State Park.

Background Information

Description of Landforms

  • Characteristic Landforms of the Coastal Zone
  • Geographic Features of Special Interest
  • Carolina Grand Strand
  • Santee Delta
  • Sea Islands

Influence of Topography on Historical Events and Cultural Trends

  • Coastal Zone Attracts Settlers
  • Native American Coastal Cultures
  • Early Spanish Settlements
  • Establishment of Santa Elena
  • Charles Towne: First British Settlement
  • Eliza Lucas Pinckney Introduces Indigo
  • Pirates: A Coastal Zone Legacy
  • Charleston Under Siege During Civil War
  • The Battle of Port Royal Sound
  • Black Volunteers in Union Service During the Civil War
  • The Future of the Coast

Natural Resources, Land Use, and Environmental Concerns

  • Climate and Water Resources
  • Soil Resources of the Coastal Zone
  • Issues Related to Growth and Development
  • Unique Habitats of the Coastal Zone
  • Fisheries and the Seafood Industry