Virginia
Old Dominion · Capital: Richmond · South (Mid Atlantic)
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Bordering states: Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina.
About Virginia
Virginia runs from the Atlantic and the Chesapeake Bay to the Cumberland Gap, crossing five physiographic provinces on the way: the Coastal Plain, the Piedmont above the Fall Line at Richmond, the Blue Ridge, the Valley and Ridge, and the Appalachian Plateau. The Potomac, Rappahannock, York and James cut the Tidewater into peninsulas, and the James opens into Hampton Roads, the deep harbour that made Norfolk. Mount Rogers, at 5,711 feet, is the high point. Temperatures have ranged from 110 degrees at Balcony Falls to 30 below zero at Mountain Lake.
Jamestown, founded in 1607, was the first permanent English settlement in North America and lived on John Rolfe's tobacco after 1612. In 1619 the first representative assembly in English America met there, and weeks later about twenty captive Africans were traded at Point Comfort. Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown in 1781, and on June 25, 1788 Virginia ratified the Constitution as the tenth state. Richmond became the Confederate capital in 1861, more Civil War engagements were fought here than in any other state, and Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.
The 2020 census counted 8,631,393 Virginians, up 7.9 percent since 2010. Richmond is the capital and Virginia Beach the largest city. Much of the economy is federal, from the Pentagon in Arlington to the shipyards of Hampton Roads, and Loudoun County holds a large share of the world's data centres. Eight presidents were born here, from George Washington to Woodrow Wilson, and in 1989 Douglas Wilder became the first Black American elected governor of any state. The motto, on the seal since 1776, is Sic semper tyrannis, thus always to tyrants.
4 fun facts about Virginia
- Eight US presidents were born in Virginia, earning it the nickname "mother of presidents."
- Jamestown (1607), the first permanent English settlement in North America, was founded here, 13 years before Plymouth.
- The Pentagon, in Arlington just outside Washington, is one of the largest office buildings in the world by floor area.
- Roanoke, England's first attempt at a colony in North America, had vanished by 1590 on land that is now coastal North Carolina.
More about Virginia
Virginia geography and climate
Frequently asked questions about Virginia
Is Virginia a US state?
Yes, Virginia is one of the 50 US states. It was admitted to the Union in 1788, making it the 10th state. Its capital is Richmond and its largest city is Virginia Beach.
What is the capital of Virginia?
The capital of Virginia is Richmond. Note that the largest city in Virginia is Virginia Beach, not the capital, a common point of confusion.
When did Virginia become a state?
Virginia became a US state in 1788. It is the 10th state admitted to the Union.
What is the abbreviation for Virginia?
The 2-letter USPS abbreviation for Virginia is VA.
How big is Virginia?
Virginia ranks #35 of 50 US states by area. With 218.6 residents per square mile in 2020, it was the 14th most densely populated state.
What is the population of Virginia?
Virginia had 8,631,393 residents at the 2020 census, the 12th largest population of the 50 states, up 7.9% since 2010. That count gives it 11 seats in the US House of Representatives.
What region is Virginia in?
Virginia is in the South region of the United States, per the US Census Bureau.
What time zone is Virginia in?
Virginia observes Eastern Time.
Learn more
How to learn the 50 states (full guide)
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