IV-281 



The South Atlantic Biophysical Region 



This region Includes the OBE estuarine economic areas of the North 

 and South Carolina Coast and the Georgia-Eastern Florida Coast. 

 The economic areas 1n the region have traditionally been producers 

 of raw materials in the form of agricultural products (particularly 

 tobacco and cotton and more recently soybeans), flnflsh and shell- 

 fish, and forestry products. The North Carolina Coast, and to a 

 somewhat lesser degree, the South Carolina Coast, continue to 

 exhibit significant concentrations of economic activity 1n these 

 areas. National defense activities dominate both of these areas, 

 with Charleston being the focus for considerable Naval activity. 

 Recreation and tourist activities dominate portions of the North 

 and South Carolina Coastal areas, notably the Cape Hatteras, North 

 Carolina; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina resort areas. 



The Georgia-Eastern Florida Coast area is not as dependent on the 

 natural resources of forests and fisheries as North or South 

 Carolina, although Savannah, for instance, is a major center for 

 the manufacturing of paper and allied products. The importance of 

 the land-water interface, particularly in the Florida portion of 

 this area, is centered on its value as a retirement and recreation 

 area. The total economy of the area has thus moved increasingly 

 to a service-producing economy with significant growth in profes- 

 sional services, contract construction, amusements, and similar 

 activities. 



