Which Southern Colony was known for its production of rice and later, cotton?

The Southern Colony known for its production of rice and later cotton is South Carolina. This colony played a significant role in the agricultural economy of the region, particularly during the 18th and early 19th centuries. South Carolina's humid climate, fertile soil, and extensive river systems created ideal conditions for rice cultivation, which became a staple crop and a major export.

In the late 18th century and into the 19th century, the introduction of cotton, particularly after the invention of the cotton gin, transformed South Carolina's agricultural landscape. Cotton quickly became a dominant cash crop, further driving the economy and solidifying the colony's reliance on plantation agriculture.

The other colonies listed, while they also engaged in agriculture, did not reach the same level of prominence in rice and cotton production as South Carolina. North Carolina, for example, primarily focused on naval stores and tobacco, while Virginia also prioritized tobacco along with grains. Georgia, though it produced rice as well, did not achieve the same scale of production as South Carolina during the significant years of this agricultural expansion. This emphasis on rice and cotton cultivation in South Carolina has left a lasting impact on the economic and social structures of the Southern United States.