West Virginia – ipl Stately Knowledge: Facts about the United States

West Virginia

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AbbreviationWV
Source: United States Postal Service – Abbreviations
CapitalCharleston
Population1,852,994
Source: Resident Population Data – 2010 Census
GovernorEarl Ray Tomblin (Democrat, to January 2017)
Entered the UnionJune 20, 1863
as the 35th state
MottoMontani semper liberi (Mountaineers are always free)
NicknameThe Mountain State
FlowerRhododendron
BirdCardinal
SongWest Virginia, My Home Sweet Home; The West Virginia Hills; and This is My West Virginia
Professional Sports TeamsNo NFL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, MLS, or NHL teams.
(sports listing policy)
Origin of NameLike Virginia: in honor of Elizabeth, Virgin Queen of England
Historical SitesHistoric homes in the Eastern Panhandle area of the state
Points of InterestHarpers Ferry and New River Gorge National River; the Greenbrier and Berkeley Springs resorts, and the Cass scenic railroad
Bordering StatesWest Virginia borders Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
FlagWest Virginia's flag

Follow these links to read articles about West Virginia from Encyclopedias and Almanacs:

Official State Links

Other State Links

  • 50states.com: West Virginia
    http://www.50states.com/wvirgini.htm
    The site provides a wealth of information about West Virginia. It includes everything from the highest point to county profile to climate.
  • Things To Do in West Virginia
    http://www.thingstodo.com/states/WV/index.htm
    ThingsToDo.com is an online guide to information about West Virginia’s entertainment, recreation, and travel, and includes the state’s interesting facts, famous people, and special events.
  • Roadside America: West Virginia Attractions
    http://www.roadsideamerica.com/map/wv.html
    Roadside America describes itself as an online guide to offbeat attractions. This site offers reviews of “weird sites along the highway” in West Virginia.
  • West Virginia in the Civil War
    http://www.wvcivilwar.com/
    This site is dedicated to the honor and memory of Civil War soldiers, sailors, and marines from West Virginia and includes links to historic sites.
  • West Virginia Web
    http://wvweb.com/
    This online directory of West Virginia sites will take you to links about the arts, education, real estate, travel, shopping, and more.
  • FedStats: MapStat: United States: West Virginia
    http://www.fedstats.gov/qf/states/54000.html
    Fast access to statistics from more than 100 federal agencies on “economic and population trends, crime, education, health care, aviation safety, energy use, farm production and more” in West Virginia.
  • West Virginia was a part of Virginia until that state seceded from the United States in 1861; delegates from 40 counties formed their own government, and statehood was granted them two years later.
  • Nearly 80% of West Virginia is covered with forests.
  • Because of its mountains, West Virginia is sometimes referred to as “the Switzerland of the United States“.
  • West Virginia is the second-largest coal producing state in the country.
  • West Virginia has long been famous for its manufacture of fine glass.

Some Famous People from this State

  • George Brett, former major league baseball player with the Kansas City Royals.
  • Pearl Buck, author best known for her novel The Good Earth.
  • Harold Tucker Webster, cartoonist and creator of Caspar Milquetoast.
  • Chuck Yeager, test pilot and Air Force general.
  • Don Knotts, actor best known for appearances in movies like The Incredible Mr. Limpet and The Apple Dumpling Gang and the television series The Andy Griffith Show.