Virginia

Virginia is the 35th largest state in the United States and the 12th most populated.¹ It shares borders with Maryland, Washington DC, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia. It is comprised of 95 counties and 39 independent cities.

Fast Facts

1. Capital: Richmond
2. Governor: Timothy Kaine
3. Population: 7,642,884 (2006)¹
4. Founded: 1788
5. Time zone: EST
6. Largest city: Virginia Beach
7. State nickname: "Old Dominion"²
8. Admitted to the Union: June 25, 1788
9. Motto: Sic Semper Tyrannis ("Thus Always to Tyrants")²

History

Virginia was home to Native Americans until English settlers established the colony of Jamestown in 1607. Virginia became one of the original 13 colonies of the United States on July 4, 1776.

Over a third of all battles of the American Civil War took place in Virginia. The battles of Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania, Wilderness, and Bull Run were some of the costliest, both in terms of money and lives.

Industry and Agriculture

Forbes magazine named Virginia the best state in the nation for business in 2006.³

The service sector provides the greatest number of jobs for Virginians and accounts for 23% of the state's income. Virginia ranks in the top 10 in the country for their production of coal, tomatoes, tobacco, peanuts, turkey, and sweet potatoes.⁴

Official State Emblems

1. Cardinal: (bird)
2. Dogwood: (flower and tree)
3. Square dance (dance)
4. "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia" (song)

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