Everyone on the task force needs to acquire some basic background information. Review these Internet links together. This information will help you place your group's role in geographical and historical context.

These links will open in a new browser window. When you are finished researching a particular link, simply close the browser window that opened to return to this webpage.

• Brief History of South Carolina
  www.state.sc.us/schist.html
  Provides a brief overview from colonial days to the 20th century.

• Map of South Carolina
  http://www.maps.com/learn/101-content/o-scarol.html/
  
  Review the major cities and rivers so you know where the development issue takes place.

• Map of South Carolina Counties
  http://quickfacts.census.gov/
  qfd/maps/ south_carolina_map.html
  Find the coastal counties, particularly Georgetown and Charleston.

• Lowcountry Region
  www.home.ix.netcom.com/~jwgauth/Neighborhoods/Index.htm
  Clearly identifies where the Lowcountry is.

• Sea Islands
  www.1upinfo.com/encyclopedia/S/SeaIsls.html
  
  Provides basic background on the area where the Gullah live.

• Gullah History and Language
  www.gullahgourmet.com/history.htm
  Gives a basic overview of the Gullah and their unique language.

• A Bridge Too Far
  www.motherjones.com/mother_jones/
  MA96/lerner.html
  A short piece about a real development controversy similar to the one you are investigating.