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Facts
Famous Natives
Flag
Gov
History
Land
Landforms
Lat/Long
Symbols
Time
Travel Info
Weather
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Description
The West Virginia area was originally inhabited by the Adena Culture (or Mound Builders), that lived here for thousands of years. Remnants of their fascinating culture remain today.
European settlers began arriving in significant numbers in the mid-1700s, causing numerous conflicts among the French, British and local indians - reaching its destructive peak during the French and Indian War.
Opposition to southern slavery here was made famous by the raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, led by the abolitionist John Brown.
West Virginia's refusal to secede from the Union during America's Civil War gave it a unique place in history, and in fact, it became the only U.S. State (or land) taken from another (Virginia) without its permission.
Famed for coal mining, glass-making and mineral springs, the beautiful State of West Virginia is home to rugged, green mountains and very few stretches of flat land.
Read more about West Virginia here
Facts and Figures
Statehood June 20, 1863 (35th state)
Capital Charleston
State Capital provided by the Charleston CVB Currency U.S. Dollar
(conversion rates) here
West Virginia Quarter (new) here
Language English (official)
Largest Cities (by population) Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, Morgantown (all cities here)
Lat/Long 38º 35' N, 81º 63' W
Origin of Name West was added to this area of Virginia when it would not secede from the Union during America's Civil War
Population 1,801,873
(37th)
Population Details (and more)
here
Statewide Business (facts & figures)
here
Flag and Symbols Animal Black Bear
Bird Cardinal
Flag here
Flower Big Rhododendron
Fish Brook Trout
Gem Mississippian Fossil Coral
Motto "Mountaineers Are Always Free"
Nicknames "The Mountain State"
Songs "West Virginia, My Sweet Home," "The West Virginia Hills" and "This is West Virginia."
State Seal here
Tree Sugar Maple
Land Statistics Area 24,087 sq miles
(41st)
(Land) 24,087 sq. miles (Water) 145 sq. miles Bordering States (5) Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Kentucky
Number of Counties (55) map here Largest County (by population) Kanawha, 200,073
Highest Point Spruce Knob, 4,861 ft.
Lowest Point Potomac River, 240 ft.
Length/Width 240 miles/130 miles
Mean Elevation 1,500 ft.
Geographic Center Braxton
 LANDFORMS
West Virginia is mostly forested land, accented by the Appalachian Mountains along its entire eastern border with Virginia.
Its most significant range (the Allegheny Mountains), extends from the southern part of the state on into Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.
The highest peaks are in the central and south, running near 4,000 ft. The highest point is Spruce Knob at 4,861 ft.
Hot water mineral springs are found throughout the rolling hills of this state, with White Sulfur Springs the most famous.
Significant rivers include the Big Sandy, Ohio, and Potomac, and the Guyandotte, Great Kanawha, Little Kanawha, Monongahela and Shenandoah.
For an accurate look at the topography of West Virginia, view this map.
Landforms of America here
Landforms of North America here
Rivers of North America here
West Virginia State Parks here
Government Info U.S. President George W. Bush (R)
West Virginia Government web site
West Virginia Legislature web site
Famous Natives People listed are almost always native to the state. We do, on occasion, include those that have lived within a state for most of their adult life. "A mostly random selection" George Brett baseball player Pearl Buck author Phillis Curtin soprano Little Jimmy Dickens singer Jennifer Garner actress (born in Texas) 
Stonewall Jackson Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson confederate general Don Knotts actor Peter Marshall television star Kathy Mattea country music singer Brad Paisley singer, songwriter, musician Mary Lou Retton olympic athlete Walter Reuther labor leader Lewis L. Strauss scientist Cyrus Vance government official, lawyer Jerry West basketball player Chuck Yeager test pilot Is someone missing?
Submit your famous person here!
USA States
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Maps
West Virginia County Map
here
West Virginia Outline Map here
West Virginia Maps Univ. of Texas here
West Virginia Geological Map here
West Virginia Highway Map here
West Virginia Historical Map here
West Virginia Precipitation Map here
West Virginia Satellite Map here
West Virginia Topographic Relief Map here
U.S. States & Capitol Cities (a test) here
U.S. MAPS (large selection) here
USA MAP Clip Art (FREE) here
CUSTOM USA MAPS created here
Recommended Links West Virginia Ancestry/Genealogy web site
West Virginia Colleges & Universities here
West Virginia State Historical Society web site
West Virginia Civil War History here
Charleston Gazetter (newspaper) web site
Harpers Ferry (aerial view) web site
State of West Virginia web site
U.S. National Park Service web site
Posters and Prints of the Civil War Time, Weather and more Area Code (304)
Time in West Virginia
here
Climate
West Virginia enjoys the four seasons, but depending on where you visit, they can differ dramatically.
In the low-lying areas and valleys, including the western regions of the state and the Eastern Panhandle, winters are quite mild and summers warm. In the central, more mountainous areas of the state, winters are much colder, with greater amounts of snow. Summers are pleasant and mild.
The statewide average high temperature in July is in the high 70s, while in January, temps in the mid-30s are average.
Throughout the state rainfall averages near 40 inches per year, while in the higher elevations of the Allegheny Mountains, 55 or more inches per year are common.
For a look at West Virginia precipitation, especially in the higher mountain elevations, view this map
Current Weather Conditions in:
Timeline of History (1641) The first European settlers arrive (1732) Shepherdstown becomes the first permanent settlement (1753) European settlers journey to the area in great numbers (1763) French loses continent and French and Indian War begins to end (1776) Residents petition the Continental Congress for separate statehood (1782) The Battle of Fort Henry (in Wheeling) is called the "Last Battle of the Revolutionary War" (1836) First railroad arrives in Harpers Ferry 
John Brown (1859) Abolitionist John Brown stages raids on federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry (1861) West Virginia refuses to secede from the Union, and separates from Virginia (1863) West Virginia becomes the 35th U.S. State (1885) Capital moved to Charleston (1907) Mine explosion in Monongah kills 361 (1921) Blair Mountain (miners) labor dispute begins (1943) Large and valuable salt deposits found along the Ohio River valley (1960) John Kennedy wins presidential primary here, defeating Hubert Humphrey (1965) Capital punishment abolished in the state Traveler Information Attractions (a few major) Blackwater Falls, Monongahela National Forest, Northeast Panhandle, Civil War History and Cultural sites, and any of the seasonal ski resorts in the eastern mountains.
For additional information we recommend the web sites shown below.
Electricity 110/120V, 60Hz
Times to Travel With impressive state parks, scenery and natural beauty, West Virginia offers a spectacular family vacation destination, spring, summer and fall. Colder, snowy conditions are common in the mountains in winter, however those months bring exceptional hunting and skiing conditions.
West Virginia Accommodations
For hotels all around the State of West Virginia here!
Charleston CVB here
West Virginia Driving Trips here
West Virginia Tourism web site
West Virginia Tourism 800.225.5982
U.S. National Park Service web site Visas United States entry requirements are the same in all states, with most foreign travelers requiring a visa.
There are exceptions as Canadian citizens only need proof of that citizenship. Travelers coming to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less from qualified countries may be eligible to visit the U.S. without a visa.
Currently, 26 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Visitors entering on the Visa Waiver Pilot Program cannot work or study while in the U.S. and cannot stay longer than 90 days or change their status to another category.
For the latest information, including required documentation, any interested party should apply at the American Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence.
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