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Greenville, founded in 1770, is the county seat of Greenville County, South Carolina and the largest city of the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Combined Statistical Area (CSA). With a population over 1.2 million in 2006, it is the largest city in the eight county regions known as "The Upstate".
Greenville is in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, halfway between Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina. The nearby mountains make the area known for granite and precious gem mining.
Greenville offers many cultural activities and attractions, including four theatres. The city was named one of the "Top 100 Small Art Towns" in the U.S. by author John Villani. Other amenities are the Bi-Lo Center, a 16,000 seat arena located in downtown Greenville for sports and concerts; the Peace Center performing arts facility for touring Broadway shows, concerts, and other events; the Centre Stage, a year-round Professional Theater; Falls Park on the Reedy, a regional park in the West End with lovely gardens and waterfalls; the Greenville Zoo, and the Haywood Mall.
Although most residents live in the suburbs, the last five to 10 years has shown a major rebirth in downtown living and working. Luxury condos, townhomes, and lofts are built and more businesses are attracted to the now booming downtown area. Other Greenville neighborhoods include Avondale West, Blackstone, Collins Creek, Chanticleer, Dellwood, Hampton-Pinkney Historic District, The Pettigru Street Historic District, Cleveland Forest (Cleveland Park area), Lower Greenville, and historic West End. Real estate can also be found in nearby cities of Dunean, Judson, City View, Sans Souci, Parker, Gantt, Wade Hampton, and Welcome.
Greenville's lower schools are served by the Greenville County School District, the largest school district in the state. Higher education is found at Furman University, Bob Jones University, North Greenville University, Greenville Technical College, ECPI College of Technology, Strayer University, University Center of Greenville and Webster University.
