Auther Ravanel Bridge
Longest Cable Stay Bridge in America
Length of bridge 2.5 miles
Number of traffic lanes = 8
Completion date July 2005
Cost $632,000,000
Height above water 186 ft
Tower height above the water 570 ft
Total length of structures 2.8 miles
Has biking/walking lanes
Connects Charleston to Mt Pleasant
Charleston trivia 
Working with many out-of-town buyers I have an opportunity to hear a lot of interesting questions about Charleston. Here are some of the most common questions:
What are wetlands?
Wetlands are marshes, bogs, swamps or fens. In the Charleston area, we have a mix of these types of areas. Most frequently near developments are Fens - peat-forming wetlands covered mostly by grasses, pine trees, sedges, reeds and wildflowers.
They often have an abundance of wildlife. Usually, wetlands are only seasonally wet. Backing up to wetlands is considered to be a desirable so lots on wetlands are considered premium lots. Building is not done "on" wetlands but can be done, and often is done, next to wetlands
What is a joggling board? (photo to the right)
Unless you live in Charleston, there's a pretty good chance that you've never heard of a joggling board. A joggling board has been a tradition on the front porches of Charleston homes for over 100 years.
Most joggling boards are about 16 feet long and about 29 inches high, equipped with rockers on each end. This allows for both a rocking and a bouncing motion. It's usually enjoyed by more than one person and can accommodate several. Most joggling boards are painted Charleston Green.
Somewhere back in the early 1800s, the wife of the plantation owner, Mrs. Benjamin Kinloch Huger, wrote to her relatives in Scotland complaining that she had some rheumatism. One of her relatives suggested that she might try an exercise board and sent her a design. From those plans, the Charleston joggling board was born.
The joggling board has been credited for the engagements of many young Charleston womenand, thus, is also known as a courting board.
What is a Piazza?
A piazza is "a covered open porch or veranda supported by columns or pillars and attached to the outside of a building. In Charleston such porches usually append to the side elevation of single houses and were intended as outdoor living space and a device to shade south- or west-facing windows from the heat of the sun." Piazzas are one of the most distinctive features of Charleston architecture.
Is a marsh the same as a swamp?
No they are very different. From a real estate perspective, marsh front is valuable - swamp front is not.
A marsh is an area of tall marsh grass which is subject to tidal flows of salt water and is, "the nursery of the ocean”. It provides protection for many species of wildlife and is the perfect environment shrimp, oysters, crabs, marsh
birds and numerous fish species.
In contrast, a swamp is an area of still water that is also an important ecosystem but is not desirable for homeowners. The swamps and our area are characterized by cypress trees, slow-moving water, and tannic colored water (blackwater). Swamps are perfect environments for alligators and snakes. If you'd like to visit an interesting swap in Charleston, I suggest a visit with four holes Swamp State Park or to Cypress Gardens.
What is a F.R.O.G.?
In listings you may come across the term FROG. This is simply an additional room on a house on the second story over the garage (Finished Room Over Garage). Many homes in this area do have FROGs. If the home you are considering has one, be sure it is well insulated and that the air conditioning system is adequate to handle the higher temperatures and usually occur when the room is placed over a garage.
Can I get a basement in Charleston?
No. The water table is too high.
Are the people in Charleston friendly to outsiders?
As it turns out Charleston is considered to be the friendliest city in the nation. The people of Charleston are wonderful. When you are walking downtown or along your neighborhood street don't be surprised when strangers stop to speak with you or offer a friendly wave as you drive by your car.
As far as the mix of people in Charleston, we have a very cosmopolitan area - people come from all over the country and the entire world to take advantage of this great city. It has always been that way in Charleston since its beginning in the 1600s. The position of Charleston along the eastern seaboard, and its wonderful natural harbor, made Charleston the perfect location for trade in the 
colonies. It is still is a perfect location for trade and for tourism today.
When you walk downtown expect to hear accents from the North, the South, and everywhere else in the country as well as interesting international accents as Charleston attracts people worldwide. In many ways, people Charleston recognize that this city is different from any other in the South. More than any other southern city, Charleston is always ready to open its arms to new arrivals.
Are there bargains to be found in Charleston real estate?
Yes, there are bargains to be found in Charleston real estate especially during strong buyer markets. However, don't be under the impression that things in Charleston are inexpensive compared to other areas of the United States. Yes the cost of living here is very good. Home prices tend to be quite affordable.
Still, you will pay a reasonable price for a nice home. For land, expect to pay a premium. Everyone wants a piece of Charleston so land prices reflect that and lot sizes are often smaller in this area than they are in many other areas of the country.
What is Beach Music?
Not to be confused with West Coast Beach Music, this is the traditional music, originating in Myrtle Beach, popular for over 60 years in SC, that is the dance music for "The Shag" (state dance). Listen to Beach Music on: http://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com/pages/best_songs-beach.html
What is popular fare among the locals?
Here are just a few:
Sweet tea, fresh fish, local shrimp (very popular - very good), mussels, crab, clams, oysters, Frogmore Stew*, seafood casseroles, pork (barbecue especially), quail, rice, pecans, biscuits, Palmetto Beer, Firefly (distilled on Wadmalaw Island), She-crab Soup*, Benne Seed Wafers*
*Frogmore Stew: This popular seafood dish contains smoked beef sausage, fresh corn, crabs, shrimp, and seafood seasonings.
* "Benne" is the Bantu word for sesame and identifies the African origin of these tasty wafers. They're unique to the Lowcountry.
Like things simple? Try a "Carolina dog" served with chili and cole slaw, mustard, and onions.
What is the population?
About 80,000 people live in the city of Charleston and about 600,000 live in the tri-county metropolitan area.
What is Gullah?
Gullah is an interesting language or dialect unique to South Carolina and Georgia found principally and certain groups of African-American people. This dialect came about as a result of the mix of various African languages and English. Some surmise that the origin of the language is from Gu
inea Coast Creole English or West African Pidgen English. Regardless of origin it has survived in South Carolina and is an important part of the Charleston heritage. Attempting to describe Gullah to an outsider is nearly impossible. It is a language that has to be heard to be appreciated. It is interesting that many Charlestonians who do not speak Gullah do understand the language when they hear it.
Where is Charleston relative to:
Atlanta, GA 290 miles (467 km)
Chicago, IL 910 miles (1,467 km)
Los Angeles, CA 2,490 miles (4,016 km)
Miami, FL 590 miles (951 km)
New York City, NY 770 miles (1,242 km)
Washington, DC 530 miles (854 km)
What are the major roads?
3 Interstates: U.S. I-26, I-95, I-526
3 U.S. Primary Highways: 17, 52, 78
How big is the Port of Charkleston in volume?
The Port of Charleston, the third busiest container port on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, handles nearly two million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of cargo annually. It is one of the most efficient and productive container ports in the world.
