West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia

Quick Facts

Capital City: Charleston

Abbreviation:  WV

Population (2019):  1,854,304; Rank: 38 of 50 | Population Quick Facts

Region:  South

Admission to Statehood:  June 20, 1863 (35th State)

State Motto: Montani semper liberi

State Nickname:  The Mountain State

Origin of State Name:  Named after England’s Queen Elizabeth I, the “Virgin Queen

Sports Teams: Find the best High School, College, League, and Professional sports teams of West Virginia State

Bordering States: The State of West Virginia has 5 neighbors namely, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Area Codes:  304 681

Zip Codes:  West Virginia Zip Codes

Famous People:  Find out all the information about the famous people in West Virginia

State Symbols

Bird:  Cardinal | List of State Birds

Animal:  Black Bear (Ursus americanus)

State Fruit:  Golden Delicious Apple

State Gem:  Mississippian Fossil Coral

Flag:  A white field is bordered in dark blue. West Virginia’s flag displays a rock containing the date June 20, 1863, the day West Virginia became a state. The two men represent farming and mining. Below them are two rifles with a “Liberty Cap” on top the rifles. A banner ribbon includes the state motto “Mountaineers Are Always Free”. Around the picture are a wreath of rhododendron and the name of the state on a red ribbon. Get this Flag

Flower:   Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) | Other State Flowers

Soil:  Monongahela

Song:  

  • “West Virginia Hills” | Words by: Ellen King | Music by: H.E. Engle
  • “West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home” | Words by: Col. Julian G. Hearne, Jr | Music by: Col. Julian G. Hearne, Jr
  • “This Is My West Virginia” | Words by: Iris Bell | Music by: Iris Bell
  • “Take Me Home Country Roads” | Words by: Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert, and John Denver | Music by: Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert, and John Denver
  • Other State Songs | Sheet Music

Tree: Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) | Other State Trees

Quarter: New River Gorge Bridge with the date 1863 West Virginia Quarter | List of State Quarters

Geography

West Virginia

 

Area:  

  • Area: 24,231 sq.mi (62,758 sq.km.), 41st
  • Land: 24,087 sq.mi. (62,385 sq.km.), 41st
  • Water: 145 sq.mi. (376 sq.km.), 50th

Largest Cities:  Charleston | Huntington| Morgantown | Wheeling | Weirton | Fairmont | Beckley | Martinsburg | Clarksburg

Highest Point:  Spruce Knob ; 4,863 feet, (1,482 m.) 24th tallest

Lowest Point:  West Virginia; 240 feet, 30th lowest

Geographic Center:  Braxton, 4 miles east of Sutton

Blank Outline Maps: Find printable blank map of the State of West Virginia , without names, so you can quiz yourself on important locations, abbreviations, or state capital.

City Guide:  Visit West Virginia City Guide for a look at geography, local history, architecture, and culture.

National Parks: Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Bluestone National Scenic River
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Gauley River National Recreation Area
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Location:  

State Government

Governor:  Jim Justice (R)

Senators:  Joe Manchin (D) Shelley Moore Capito (R)

Representatives:  House, Senate

Constitution: West Virginia’s Constitution , 35th State

Government Offices Directory:  Find all information here at the West Virginia government offices directory

Electoral College Votes:  5 Votes

Vital Records: Find out all the information about the vital records for the state of West Virginia

Economy

  • Economy:
    • Agriculture: Cattle, dairy products, poultry, apples.
    • Industry: Chemical products, mining, primary metals, stone, clay, and glass products, tourism.
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