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 Wild and Wonderful West Virginia
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West Virginia, state of the eastern United States. West Virginia lies in the very heart of the Appalachian Highlands, and its predominantly mountainous terrain and picturesque scenery have led to its nickname as the Mountain State. The state's unusually irregular boundaries, formed largely by rivers and mountains, give it the shape of a large pan with two handles, one in the north and one in the east. For this reason it is sometimes called the Panhandle State.
 West Virginia is known for its magnificent scenery and its abundance of natural resources, including coal, oil, gas, and timber. It is one of the leading producers of bituminous coal among the states and is also noted for the manufacture of fine glass. West Virginia, plagued for many years by economic stagnation, has recently attempted to diversify its industrial activity. Yet the state remains one of the poorest in the United States.
West Virginia entered the Union on June 20, 1863, as the 35th state. It was part of Virginia until the American Civil War (1861-1865), when its inhabitants, loyal to the Union, formed a separate state after Virginia became part of the Confederacy. Charleston is West Virginia's capital and largest city.
West Virginia Facts...
- The state bird is the cardinal.
- West Virginia's flag displays a rock containing the date June 20, 1863, the day West Virginia became a state.
- The state flower is the Rhododendron.
- West Virginia is considered the southern most northern state and the northern most southern state.
- Mothers Day was first proclaimed in West Virginia, 1908.
- West Virginia was the 35th state.
- The governor is Bob
Wise.
- The highest point is Spruce Knob; 4,863 feet, 24th
- The lowest point is the Potomac River (Harper's Ferry); 240 feet, 31st
- Origin of state's name: Named after England's Queen Elizabeth I, the "Virgin Queen"
Top West Virginia Links...
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