The Carolinas formally split into two distinct states in 1712. The two royal colonies that were formed became North Carolina and South Carolina.
The Carolina colony was part of the restoration colonies established by the British monarch King Charles II. In 1663, the charter for the creation of the colony was granted to eight of the king's staunch supporters. The northern and southern regions of the colony had very little similarities in terms of physical features, economic status and culture. Due to these differences, the British Crown decided to officially separate the Carolinas into two colonies. While North Carolina mainly depended on cultivating small portions of arable land, South Carolina expanded and established vast estates and plantations.
