Virginia information
Virginia is a state of rich heritage and extraordinary natural beauty. Its attractions are as broad and diverse as its geography and as abundant as its history. Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Allegheny Mountains, Virginia is a mixture of colonial towns, cultural activities, and recreational opportunities.
Virginia is the fourth largest of the south Atlantic states and the 12th most populous state in the nation. More than 75 percent of all Virginians live in metropolitan areas. Richmond, the state capital, is a leading center for manufacturing, finance, trade, and corporate centers.
While the northern part of the state is cosmopolitan, the southern and central regions are composed of pastoral flatland communities and rolling hills. There are beaches, marshes, and inland waterways in the Hampton Roads and Peninsula regions. And, you'll find that small-town America still exists in the majestic Blue Ridge Valley and southwest regions.
The north Virginia section of Washington, DC, is the fastest growing area in the state. Known as the "technological boom town," it is becoming one of the nation's leading high-technology centers for computer software, information technology, and telecommunications.
Hampton Roads is a world transportation and manufacturing hub. Home to more than 1.5 million Virginians, this community includes Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach on the south side of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. To the north are Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, and the counties of James City, Gloucester, and York. The Port of Virginia, the second largest on the East Coast, has long been the backbone of the region's economy. A sophisticated integration of sea, air, land, and rail transportation contributes to the success of the area's economy.
The Roanoke Valley, also known as a manufacturing mecca, is the largest metropolitan area in western Virginia. It provides easy access to two-thirds of the country within a day's drive. Of course, no visit to Virginia would be complete without seeing at least part of the scenic 105-mile Skyline Drive and the Virginia portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway in the western mountains.
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