Columbia, South Carolina Hotels

This is the current conditions weather report for Columbia. The report was made 20 minutes ago, at 12:10 UTC. The wind was blowing at a speed of 3 miles per hour / 5.6 kilometers per hour from the north northeast (020°). The temperature was 72°F / 22°C, with a dew-point at 72°F / 22°C. The atmospheric pressure was 30.03 inHg / 1018 hPa. The relative humidity was 100%. The skies were overcast with fog/mist.

Columbia is the state capital and largest city of South Carolina. As of 2006, estimates for the population of the city proper is 122,819. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a small portion of the city extends into Lexington County. The city is the center of a rapidly growing metro area of 703,771.

The area is often cited for its high quality of life offerings, with its many cultural amenities, parks, and recreational features. At the confluence of two major rivers, Columbia is one of the best destinations in the country for kayak and canoe enthusiasts. It is also known for its large number of independent theater groups.

Columbia is home to the main campus of the state's flagship university, the University of South Carolina, which was chartered in 1801 as South Carolina College and in 1906 as the University of South Carolina. The university has 350 degree programs and enrolls more than 27,500 students throughout 15 degree-granting colleges and schools. It is an urban university, located in downtown Columbia. Columbia is also home to Allen University, Benedict College, Columbia College, Columbia International University, Midlands Technical College, and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary.

The Five Points neighborhood, home to many locally-owned businesses, is known as Columbia's eclectic village shopping area. The Devine Street corridor offers a variety of upscale specialty shopping, including art and antiques, eclectic home furnishings, and men's, women's, and children's clothing. The historic Congaree Vista district downtown provides shoppers with a unique collection of shops filled with antiques, oriental rugs, jewelry, original artwork, hand-made furniture, and collectibles.

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