A cartographic representation illustrating the geographical features of South Carolina’s littoral zone, extending from the estuarine areas to the open ocean, provides a detailed visual inventory of the state’s coastal morphology. This includes barrier islands, tidal creeks, salt marshes, beaches, and navigable waterways. Such depictions vary in scale and detail, ranging from broad overviews showing the entire coastline to highly granular representations focusing on specific regions and bathymetric data.
These visual resources are critical for various purposes, including navigation, resource management, environmental monitoring, and tourism. Historically, they have aided maritime activities and coastal development. Contemporary applications encompass coastal zone management, habitat conservation efforts, and predicting the impacts of sea-level rise and coastal erosion. Accurate charting also supports informed decision-making regarding infrastructure development and emergency preparedness related to hurricanes and other coastal hazards.