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Capital:
Richmond
Governor:
James S. Gilmore, R (to Jan. 2002)
Lieut.
Governor: John H. Hager, R (to Jan. 2002)
Senators:
John Warner, R (to Jan. 2003); George Allen, R (to Jan. 2007)
Secy. of
the Commonwealth: Anne P. Petera (apptd. by governor)
Comptroller: William E. Landsidle (apptd. by governor)
Atty.
General: Mark L. Earley Entered Union (rank): June 25, 1788 (10)
Present
constitution adopted: 1970
Motto:
Sic semper tyrannis (Thus always to tyrants)
State Symbols:
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flower
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American dogwood (1918) |
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bird
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cardinal (1950) |
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dog
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American foxhound (1966) |
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shell
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oyster shell (1974) |
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tree
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dogwood (1956) |
Nickname: The Old Dominion; Mother
of Presidents
Origin of name: In honor of
Elizabeth "Virgin Queen" of England
10 largest cities (1999 est.):
Virginia Beach, 433,461; Norfolk, 225,875; Chesapeake, 202,759;
Richmond, 189,700; Newport News, 179,138; Arlington CDP1,
174,838; Hampton, 137,193; Alexandria, 117,390; Portsmouth, 98,305;
Roanoke, 93,357
Land area: 39,598 sq mi. (102,558 sq
km)
Geographic center: Buckingham Co.,
5 mi. SW of Buckingham
Number of counties:
95, plus 40 independent cities
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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, Virginia
has a large number of diversified manufacturing industries,
including transportation equipment, textiles, food processing, and
printing. Other important lines are electronic and other electrical
equipment, chemicals, apparel, lumber and wood products, furniture,
and industrial machinery and equipment.
Agriculture
remains an important sector in the Virginia economy and the state
ranks among the top 10 in the U.S. in tomatoes, tobacco, peanuts,
summer potatoes, turkeys, apples, broilers, and sweet potatoes.
Other crops include corn, vegetables, and barley. Famous for
Smithfield hams, Virginia also has a large dairy industry.
Coal mining
accounts for roughly 75% of Virginia's mineral output, and lime,
kyanite, and stone are also mined.
Points of
interest include Mt. Vernon and other places associated with 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), the Skyline Drive, and the Blue
Ridge National Parkway.
Largest county by population and area:
Fairfax, 945,717 (1999 est.); Augusta, 972 sq mi.
State forests: 11 (50,636 ac.)
State parks and recreational parks:
43
Residents: Virginian
1999 resident population est.:
6,872,912
1990 resident census population (rank):
6,187,358 (12). Male: 3,033,974;
Female: 3,153,384.
White: 4,791,739 (77.4%);
Black: 1,162,994 (18.8%);
American Indian: 15,282 (0.2%);
Asian: 159,053 (2.6%);
Other race: 58,290 (0.9%);
Hispanic: 160,288 (2.6%).
1990 percent population under 18:
24.3; 65 and over: 10.7;
median age: 32.5.
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