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Travel & Geography > The States & Territories
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| The States & Territories
The Regions of the United States | Facts & Statistics

Virginia, the "Old Dominion"
Abbreviation:
VA

Virginia Flag
State Flag
Virginia Seal
State Seal

Virginia was named for Elizabeth I, the Queen of England. Virginia is the tenth one of the original 13 states to join the Union (1788). Virginia holds an important place in American history, as it was home to many of the founding fathers, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Mason, and Patrick Henry. Four of America's first five presidents were Virginians. During the Civil War, Richmond, Virginia's capital, was the capital of the Confederacy. Virginia was the site of some of the most important events in American history. The first permanent English settlement was established by the Virginia Company at Jamestown in 1607. Famous homes include George Washington's Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, and tidal rivers offer beach sports, sailing and fishing.

Virginia wurde zu Ehren der englischen Königin Elizabeth I benannt. Virginia war die zehnte der ursprünglichen 13 Kolonien, die sich zum Staatenverbund zusammenschlossen (1788). Der Staat spielt eine wichtige Rolle in der amerikanischen Geschichte, war er doch die Heimat von vielen Gründungsvätern, einschließlich George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Mason und Patrick Henry. Vier der ersten fünf Präsidenten stammten aus Virginia. Im Bürgerkrieg war Richmond, die Hauptstadt Virginias, die Hauptstadt der Konföderierten. Der Staat ist der Schauplatz einiger der wichtigsten Ereignisse der amerikanischen Geschichte. Die erste dauerhafte englische Siedlung wurde 1607 von der Virginia Company in Jamestown erbaut. Berühmte Gebäude sind z.B. Mount Vernon, der Wohnsitz George Washingtons, und Monticello, wo Thomas Jefferson lebte. Die Atlantikküste, die Chesapeake Bay und die Flussmündungsgebiete laden zu Strandspielen, zum Segeln und Angeln ein.

GOVERNMENT
Capital:
Richmond
Governor: Tim Kaine, D (Jan. 2010)
Senators: Mark R. Warner, D (to Jan. 2015); Jim Webb, D (Jan. 2007 to Jan. 2013)
House of Representatives: 11 districts | Search by zip code

STATISTICS
Population (July 2005):
7,567,000; National Rank: 12; Percent change since April 2000: 6.9%
Land Area: 39,598 sq mi. (102,558 sq km); National Rank:
35
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

ECONOMY
Total Gross State Product 2005 prel. (billions of current dollars): 352.7
Per Capita Personal Income 2005:
$38,390; National Rank: 7
State Exports 2005 (millions of dollars):
12,216; National Rank: 23
Agriculture: Cattle, poultry, dairy products, tobacco, hogs, soybeans.
Industry: Transportation equipment, textiles, food processing, printing, electric equipment,

Government
·
State of Virginia Official Homepage
· Project VoteSmart
·
State and Local Government on the Internet

Statistics
· Virginia Profile - Fedstats
· U.S. Census Bureau: 2000 Data for the State of Virginia
· U.S. Census Bureau: State Data Centers: Virginia

Economy
· Virginia - Regional Accounts Data

Background
· 50States.com
·
InfoPlease
·
Wikipedia.de: Virginia


 
 

Travel
·
State of Virginia Tourist Office
· Map (MapQuest)
· State of Virginia: Visitors

For High School Students
·
ClassBrain.com: State Report
·
Explore the States
· Stately Knowledge


Teacher Resources
·
ProTeacher: Lessons by State: Virginia

Links
· GovEngine.com: Federal, State & Local Government Site
· Virginia (Google)
·
Virginia (Yahoo)

 
Texts are abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials.
 
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Updated: January 2009