page_title: Constitution of South Carolina
section_title: Article VII
hierarchical_section_title: Constitution of South Carolina / Overview of constitutional provisions / Article VII
context_page_description: The Constitution of the State of South Carolina is the governing document of the U.S. state of South Carolina. It describes the structure and function of the state's government. The current constitution took effect on December 4, 1895. South Carolina has had six other constitutions, which were adopted in 1669, 1776, 1778, 1790, 1865 and 1868.
context_section_description: Article VII regulates the creation of counties. Along with counties, Article VII also provides for a township form of government. Currently, however, no townships exist in South Carolina. When originally adopted, South Carolina contained thirty-six counties, as the 1895 convention created Saluda County out of Edgefield County. Since its adoption, ten new counties have been created, for a present total of forty-six. The only substantial amendment to this article occurred in 1970, with the insertion of a section authorizing the creation of regional councils of government.
caption: Map of the counties of South Carolina
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