WELCOME TO THE LOW COUNTRY, WHERE HISTORY IS VALUED AND CULTURE THRIVES. CHARLESTON, THE SOUTH CAROLINA PORT CITY FOUNDED IN 1670, IS DEFINED BY ITS COBBLESTONE STREETS, HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES AND PASTEL ANTEBELLUM HOUSES, PARTICULARLY IN THE ELEGANT FRENCH QUARTER AND BATTERY DISTRICTS. THE BATTERY PROMENADE AND WATERFRONT PARK BOTH OVERLOOK CHARLESTON HARBOR, WHILE FORT SUMPTER, AND FEDERAL STRONGHOLD WERE WHERE THE FIRST SHOTS OF THE CIVIL WAR RANG OUT, LIES ACROSS THE WATER.