Home · States · Virginia · Map
VAVirginia Map
Virginia on the US map
Virginia sits in the South region of the United States — specifically the mid atlantic subregion as defined by the US Census Bureau. With an area ranking of #35 of 50, Virginia is mid-sized for the United States. The map above highlights Virginia in gold and color-codes the 49 other states by region.
Whether you're a student studying US geography, a traveler planning a road trip, a teacher building a lesson plan, or simply curious, the goal of this page is to give you a complete picture of where Virginia is and what surrounds it. Click any other state on the map above to navigate to its dedicated page.
Capital and largest city
The capital of Virginia is Richmond. The largest city by population, however, is Virginia Beach — not Richmond. This pattern (capital ≠ largest city) holds for about 33 of the 50 US states, including most of the famous mismatches like California (Sacramento, not LA), Florida (Tallahassee, not Miami), and New York (Albany, not NYC).
The historical reason for these mismatches dates to the late 18th and 19th centuries. When state founders chose capitals, they often deliberately picked smaller, more centrally located towns to avoid concentrating political and commercial power in the same place. They worried that a capital in a major port or commercial city would be too vulnerable to mob influence (a real concern at the time) and would skew political decisions toward commercial interests.
Borders and neighbors
Virginia shares land borders with 5 other US states: Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina. Each link goes to that state's dedicated page where you can see its own map, history, and facts.
Geographic features at a glance
- Total area rank: #35 of 50
- Population: 5 to 10 million
- Coastline: atlantic
- Mountain ranges: appalachians
- Time zone: Eastern
- Region: South — mid atlantic subregion
- Appalachian range: yes
Major highways and transportation
Virginia is connected to the rest of the country by the federal Interstate Highway System (planned by President Eisenhower in the 1950s). Major airports serve Virginia Beach and Richmond, with regional connections to the rest of the state. Amtrak rail service connects parts of Virginia to the national passenger rail network, though geographic isolation and population density vary.
Virginia notable firsts
- Birthplace of 8 US presidents — more than any other state
- One of the 13 original colonies
🌟 Virginia trivia
- Virginia has been home to 8 US presidents, more than any other state.
- The first English colony, Jamestown (1607), was settled here — 13 years before Plymouth Rock.
- The Pentagon, just outside DC in Arlington, is the largest office building in the world by floor area.
- Roanoke Colony — North America's first English colony — disappeared without trace in 1590 in what's now coastal NC, then claimed by Virginia.
Virginia vs similar states
How does Virginia compare with 3 other states in the same region and size category?
| State | Capital | Pop | Area rank | Admitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | Richmond | 5 to 10 million | #35 | 1788 |
| Alabama | Montgomery | 1 to 5 million | #30 | 1819 |
| Arkansas | Little Rock | 1 to 5 million | #29 | 1836 |
| Florida | Tallahassee | over 10 million | #22 | 1845 |
Bordering states (5)
Virginia shares borders with 5 other US states, listed alphabetically below. Each link goes to the dedicated state page.
Practice US geography daily — free
Statedoku is a 3×3 daily geography puzzle. Virginia appears as an answer or constraint clue on most days that match its region, borders, time zone, or quirks. Five minutes a day.
Play today's puzzle →Similar states to Virginia
If this page interested you, you may also want to explore states with similar geography, history, or culture. These states share Virginia's region (South) and similar size category: