Virginia

Capital: Richmond State abbreviation/Postal code: Va./VA Governor: Tim Kaine, D (to Jan. 2010) Lieut. Governor: Bill Bolling, R (to Jan. 2010) Senators: John Warner, R (to Jan. 2009); Jim Webb, D (to Jan. 2013) U.S. Representatives: 11 Historical biographies of Congressional members Secy. of the Commonwealth: Katherine M. Hanley, D (apptd. by gov.) Treasurer: J. Braxton Powell, D (to Jan. 2010) Atty. General: Robert F. McDonnell, R (to Jan. 2010) Entered Union (rank): June 25, 1788 (10) Present constitution adopted: 1970 Motto: Sic semper tyrannis (Thus always to tyrants) State symbols: flower American dogwood (1918) bird cardinal (1950) dog American foxhound (1966) shell oyster shell (1974) tree dogwood (1956) Nicknames: The Old Dominion; Mother of Presidents Origin of name: In honor of Elizabeth “Virgin Queen” of England 10 largest cities (2005 est.): Virginia Beach, 438,415; Norfolk, 231,954; Chesapeake, 218,968; Arlington, 195,965; Richmond, 193,777; Newport News, 179,899; Hampton, 145,579; Alexandria, 135,337; Portsmouth, 100,169; Roanoke, 92,631 Land area: 39,594 sq mi. (102,558 sq km) Geographic center: In Buckingham Co., 5 mi. SW of Buckingham Number of counties: 95, plus 39 independent cities Largest county by population and area: Fairfax, 1,006,529 (2005); Pittsylvania 978 sq mi. State forests: 16 (50,000+ ac.) State parks/natural areas: 34 Residents: Virginian 2005 resident population est.: 7,567,465 2000 resident census population (rank): 7,078,515 (12). Male: 3,471,895 (49.0%); Female: 3,606,620 (51.0%). White: 5,120,110 (72.3%); Black: 1,390,293 (19.6%); American Indian: 21,172 (0.3%); Asian: 261,025 (3.7%); Other race: 138,900 (2.0%); Two or more races: 143,069 (2.0%); Hispanic/Latino: 329,540 (4.7%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 75.4; 65 and over: 11.2; median age: 35.7. See additional census data Area codes Tourism office

Map of Virginia

The history of America is closely tied to that of Virginia, particularly during the Colonial period. Jamestown, founded in 1607, was the first permanent English settlement in North America and slavery was introduced there in 1619. The surrenders ending both the American Revolution (Yorktown) and the Civil War (Appomattox) occurred in Virginia. The state is called the “Mother of Presidents” because eight U.S. presidents were born there.

Today, the service sector provides one-third of all jobs in Virginia, generating as much income as the manufacturing and retail industries combined in 1999 and accounting for 23% of gross state product. (The largest component of the service sector is business services, which includes computer and data processing services.)

Virginia has a large number of manufacturing industries, including transportation equipment, food processing, electronic and other electrical equipment, chemicals, textiles and apparel, lumber and wood products, and furniture.

Agriculture remains an important sector, and the state ranks among the top ten in a variety of agricultural products, including tomatoes, tobacco, peanuts, apples, summer potatoes, sweet potatoes, snap beans, and turkeys and broilers. Virginia also has a large dairy industry.

Virginia is one of the top ten coal producers in the U.S. Coal accounts for roughly 70% of Virginia's mineral value; crushed stone, sand and gravel, lime, and kyanite are also mined.

Points of interest include Mt. Vernon, home of George Washington; Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson; Stratford, home of the Lees; Richmond, capital of the Confederacy and of Virginia; and Williamsburg, the restored Colonial capital.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel spans the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, connecting Cape Charles with Norfolk. Consisting of a series of low trestles, two bridges and two mile-long tunnels, the complex is 18 miles (29 km) long. It was opened in 1964.

Other attractions are the Shenandoah National Park, Colonial National Historical Park, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, the Booker T. Washington birthplace near Roanoke, Arlington House (the Robert E. Lee Memorial), Luray Caverns, the Skyline Drive, and the Blue Ridge National Parkway.

See more on Virginia:
Encyclopedia: Virginia
Encyclopedia: Geography
Encyclopedia: Economy
Encyclopedia: Government
Encyclopedia: History
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Selected famous natives and residents:

• Richard Arlen actor;

• Arthur Ashe tennis player;

• Pearl Bailey singer;

• Russell Baker columnist;

• Warren Beatty actor;

• George Bingham painter;

• Richard E. Byrd polar explorer;

• Willa Cather novelist;

• Roy Clark country music artist;

• William Clark explorer;

• Henry Clay statesman;

• Joseph Cotten actor;

• Ella Fitzgerald singer;

• William H. Harrison president;

• Patrick Henry statesman;

• Sam Houston political leader;

• Thomas Jefferson president;

• Robert E. Lee Confederate general;

• Meriwether Lewis explorer;

• Shirley MacLaine actress;

• James Madison president;

• Moses Malone basketball player;

• John Marshall jurist;

• Cyrus McCormick inventor;

• James Monroe president;

• Opechancanough Powhatan leader;

• John Payne actor;

• Walter Reed army surgeon;

• Matthew Ridgway general;

• Bill “Bojangles” Robinson dancer;

• George C. Scott actor;

• Sam Snead golfer;

• James “Jeb” Stuart Confederate army officer;

• Thomas Sumter general;

• Zachary Taylor president;

• Nat Turner leader of slave uprising;

• John Tyler president;

• Booker T. Washington educator;

• George Washington first president;

• James E. West, inventor;

• Woodrow Wilson president;

• Tom Wolfe journalist.

Fact Monster/Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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