With three rivers dicing the region the Broad, Saluda and Congaree, the area is now known as "The Columbia Riverbanks Region, Where Friendliness Flows".

Metro Columbia has 660,000 resident, which is larger than Charleston, and the fastest growing city in the state.

At 117 square miles, Columbia proper is as large Baltimore and Washington, DC combined. But you couldn’t tell since there is so much undeveloped greenery.

Fort Jackson plays a major role in the local economy and is one of the largest Army training centers in the country.

Notable residents born or made their mark here include:

Kimberly Clarice Aiken
5th African American to hold the title of Miss America 1994

Colonel Charles Bolden, Jr.
Astronaut who piloted the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1986

James Clyburn
Elected to Congress in 1992 and headed the Congressional Black Caucus; now chairman of the International African American Museum expected to open in Charleston in 2007

Alex English
Former NBA star played with the Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, and Denver Nuggets; only NBA player to score 2,000 points for eight consecutive years; also an accomplished writer and poet, and hosts the annual African American Arts Festival
 
Essie Mae Washington-Williams
Daughter of Senator Strom Thurmond and biographical author of the book, Dear Senator: A Memoir by the Daughter of Strom Thurmond
 
Hootie and the Blowfish
The rock band, headed by Darius Rucker, formed while attending the University of South Carolina

Jermaine O’Neal
All-star NBA Power forward who plays for the Indiana Pacers

Sam Davis
Columbia City Councilman and apprentice of Iron Master, Philip Simmons; Davis created the wrought iron gates on the grounds of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary

Stephen Davis
NFL star running back for the Carolina Panthers

George Rogers
1980 Heisman Trophy winner for outstanding collegiate football player and #1 pick in the NFL draft

Tyrone Geter
Nationally recognized artist and Director of Ponder Fine Arts Gallery at Benedict College

Matthew Perry
Attorney who led the struggle for desegregation in South Carolina, served as a primary legal advocate in the national civil rights movement, and became South Carolina's first African American U.S. District Court judge

William Pinkney
Drifters vocalist who performed for over 50 years