Beaufort is a small city of approximately 12,000 that's largely located on Port Royal Island, which sits just off the South Carolina coast, though its recently expanded limits now cover parts of nearby Lady's Island. Chartered in 1711, Beaufort was a major center of aristocratic Southern plantation culture up until the Civil War, at which point its economy underwent a number of changes. Today's Beaufort, however, still maintains a strong connection to both its genteel past and the sea, as the remarkably well-preserved antebellum architecture of its downtown area has earned it National Historic Landmark status while the area's excellent fishing has garnered it mention as the "#7 Waterfront Adventure Town" by National Geographic Adventure Magazine and one of the "Top 20 Fishing Towns" by Field and Stream Magazine. Due to its combination of history, recreational opportunities, and the authentic charm that's associated with the Carolinas, Southern Living Magazine has also named Beaufort the "Best Small Southern Town". Though noted for its traditional appeal, Beaufort, which is a part of the greater Hilton Head metropolitan area, also sports a number of larger, recently constructed homes along Lady's Island, although the town's picturesque Historic District and Spanish Heights neighborhoods continue to evoke a legacy any prospective resident can enjoy. Given the area's vibrant economy, which is buoyed by several government facilities as well as the popular tourism and recreational fishing industries, the thriving nature of Beaufort is likely to continue for generations to come.