West Virginia

Extracted Attributes

• Type

  State

• Location

  Southern and Mid-Atlantic regions, United States

• Nickname

  The Mountain State, Almost Heaven

• Area Rank

  10th-smallest state by area

• Population

  1,793,716 residents

• Coordinates

  Point(-80.5 39.0)

• Lowest Point

  Harpers Ferry, 247 feet above sea level, Jefferson County

• Major Rivers

  Ohio River, Guyandotte River, Greenbrier River

• Forestry Rank

  Third most-forested state in the United States

• Highest Point

  Spruce Knob, 4,861 feet above sea level, Pendleton County

• First Governor

  Arthur Boreman

• Key Industries

  Coal mining, logging, timber, salt, oil, natural gas

• Population Rank

  12th-least populous state

• Education Ranking

  Among the lowest in U.S.

• Geographical Regions

  Appalachia, Mid-Atlantic, Upland South, Southeastern United States

• Health Outcomes Ranking

  Among the lowest in U.S.

• Life Expectancy Ranking

  Among the lowest in U.S.

• Economic Factors Ranking

  Among the lowest in U.S.

• Only State Entirely Within

  Appalachian Regional Commission area

• Proposed Names (Historical)

  Vandalia, Kanawha, Appalachia, Western Virginia

• Political Leanings (Current)

  Heavily Republican ("deep red" state)

• Capital and Most Populous City

  Charleston

• Political Leanings (Historical)

  Heavily Democratic (Great Depression to 1990s)

Timeline

• Portion of Virginia now known as West Virginia broke off to form its own state after Virginia seceded from the Union. (Source: U.S. News Best States)

  1861

• Admitted to the Union as a key border state during the American Civil War. (Source: Summary, Wikipedia, Wikidata, DBPedia, U.S. News Best States)

  1863-06-20

• State legislature abolished slavery in the state and ratified the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery nationally. (Source: Wikipedia, DBPedia)

  1865-02-03

• The capital was originally Wheeling, before switching to Charleston, moving back to Wheeling, and finally back to Charleston. (Source: DBPedia, WV Legislature Kids Page)

  1863

• During Reconstruction, the state's mineral resource industries boomed, with logging and coal mining becoming important parts of the economy. (Source: U.S. News Best States)

  1865

• From the Great Depression to the 1990s, the state voted heavily for the Democratic Party due to its tradition of union-based politics. (Source: Summary, Wikipedia, DBPedia)

  1929-10-29

• The state transitioned from heavily Democratic to heavily Republican, becoming a "deep red" state at the federal level. (Source: Summary, Wikipedia, DBPedia)

  1990s

West Virginia

West Virginia is a state in the Southern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Mountainous, it is bordered by Pennsylvania and Maryland to the northeast, Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, and Ohio to the northwest. West Virginia is the 10th-smallest state by area and ranks as the 12th-least populous state, with a population of 1,769,979 residents. The capital and most populous city is Charleston with a population of 49,055. West Virginia was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863, and was a key border state during the American Civil War. It separated from Virginia and was one of two states (along with Nevada) admitted to the Union during the Civil War. Some of its residents held slaves, but most were propertied farmers, and the delegates provided for the gradual abolition of slavery in the new state constitution. The state legislature abolished slavery in the state, and at the same time ratified the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery nationally on February 3, 1865. West Virginia's northern panhandle extends adjacent to Pennsylvania and Ohio to form a tristate area, with Wheeling, Weirton, and Morgantown just across the border from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Huntington in the southwest is close to Ohio and Kentucky, while Martinsburg and Harpers Ferry in the eastern panhandle region are considered part of the Washington metropolitan area, between Maryland and Virginia. West Virginia is often included in several U.S. geographical regions, including the Mid-Atlantic, the Upland South, and the Southeastern United States. It is the only state entirely within the area served by the Appalachian Regional Commission; the area is commonly defined as "Appalachia". The state is noted for its mountains and rolling hills, its historically significant coal mining and logging industries, and its political and labor history. It is also known for its tourism and a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities, including skiing, whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and hunting. From the Great Depression to the 1990s, the state voted heavily for the Democratic Party due to its tradition of union-based politics. Since then, the state has become heavily Republican, and is considered a "deep red" state at the federal level. West Virginia consistently ranks among the lowest U.S. states in terms of health outcomes, life expectancy, education, and economic factors.

Web Search Results

• West Virginia Rankings | U.S. News Best States

  Located in the Appalachian region, West Virginia has some of the most rugged land in the country. The state’s rolling mountains, hills and valleys earned it the nickname of the Mountain State, and it is well-known for its range of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, skiing and whitewater rafting. Most of the level land lies along major rivers, which include the Ohio, Guyandotte and Greenbrier rivers. Only nine states are smaller than West Virginia in total area. [...] When Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, the portion now known as West Virginia broke off to form its own state. Admitted to the Union in 1863, West Virginia was the only state created from breaking apart from a Confederate state during the Civil War and played a key role as a border state. ### West Virginia News Headlines Image 5 NPR Stations Targeted for Cuts by Trump Have Provided…Things to Know About the US Coal Industry and Proposed…Winners of the 2024 Virginias Associated Press… [...] During Reconstruction, the new 35th state’s mineral resource industries boomed, and logging and coal mining both remain important parts of the state’s economy today. West Virginia also played a pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution with the development of bituminous coal, a cheaper alternative to wood.

• West Virginia Tourism – Almost Heaven Travel Guide, Parks, Road ...

  From extraordinary overnight stays and historic hubs to natural wonders and thrilling adventures, the new guide uncovers the abundance of activities awaiting in West Virginia. Start Planning Today # Welcome to West Virginia The Mountain State is home to spirited small towns, undiscovered hidden gems and world-class outdoor adventures. In West Virginia, let country roads lead you far away from everything. And a little closer to heaven. Feel free to stay awhile. [...] West Virginia is a beauty queen of a state, with ragged mountains to hike or ski and white-water rapids to paddle. It’s also stuffed with Civil War history and charming small towns. To explore it all, you’ll need a home base. Read More Our collective obsession with the outdoors this past year turned out to be fortuitous timing for West Virginia. Read More [...] West Virginia is a beauty queen of a state, with ragged mountains to hike or ski and white-water rapids to paddle. It’s also stuffed with Civil War history and charming small towns. To explore it all, you’ll need a home base. Read More Our collective obsession with the outdoors this past year turned out to be fortuitous timing for West Virginia. Read More

• West Virginia Pictures and Facts | National Geographic Kids

  ### WHY’S IT CALLED THAT? West Virginia was originally going to be called "Kanawha," a name that honors a Native American tribe. However, even though the region separated from Virginia, officials still wanted that as part of its new name. (Virginia was named after a nickname of Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled in the late 1500s.) [...] Some people think this state’s shape looks like a leaping frog, with its nose in the southwestern corner. It’s bordered by Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland in the north; Maryland and Virginia in the east; Virginia and Kentucky in the south; and Kentucky and Ohio in the west. Its wiggly western border is created by the Ohio River, while its winding eastern border is created by the Appalachian Mountains. It can be divided into two geographical regions. [...] As the United States’ third most-forested state, West Virginia is known for its timber and protected woodlands. It’s also famous for its salt: Wild buffalo and deer gathered to lick natural salt deposits, and Native Americans and colonists gathered salt to cure butter and preserve meats. Today salt deposits are still mined for rock salt, which is then used to create chemicals such as chlorine. Coal, oil, and natural gas are also important to the state’s economy. ### FUN STUFF

• 10 Beautiful Places to Visit in West Virginia

  What is there to do in West Virginia? This is a question I was asked numerous times as I shared my upcoming plans to travel east. West Virginia is the 10th smallest state, and one of the lesser populated states. However, it’s truly a hidden gem. Made up of tree covered Appalachian Mountains, there is a reason this state is nicknamed Almost Heaven. Save this list of beautiful places to visit in West Virginia to inspire your next adventure. [...] For being a small state, West Virginia has some of the most beautiful state parks to visit. Located near the historic town of Berkley Springs, Cacapon State Park is a haven for history buffs and nature lovers. Visitors have the option to book a stay at their newly expanded lodge or in a cabin at the Old Inn. The Cacapon resort also includes dining options, a full spa and golf. For nature lovers, there are plenty of places to hike, bike and fish. [...] There are various beautiful towns to visit in West Virginia. If you are a lover of the slow paced, small towns, Wardensville should be on your list of places to go. This charming town dates back to 1832 and is located in the Potomac Highlands. There are various charming stores such as Word Play (book store with something for everyone), Lost River Trading Post and the Farmer’s Market & Bakery.

• Fun Facts about West Virginia

  Image 16 At 4, 861 feet above sea level, Spruce Knob, located in Pendleton County, is the highest point in the Mountain State. Dropping down to 247 feet above sea level, Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County, marks lowest point in the state. Image 17: The West Virginia Legislature's Kids Page Image 18: West Virginia State Capitol Image 19 West Virginia's first Capital city was located in Wheeling, Ohio County. It was later moved to Charleston, then back to Wheeling, and then back to Charleston.

• Country

  United States

• Located In

  United States

• Instance Of

  Q35657

• Population

  1,793,716

• Coordinates

  Lat: 39.0, Lon: -80.5

• Inception Date

  6/20/1863

West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered by Pennsylvania to the north and east, Maryland to the east and northeast, Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, and Ohio to the northwest. West Virginia is the 10th-smallest state by area and ranks as the 12th-least populous state, with a population of 1,793,716 residents. The capital and largest city is Charleston. West Virginia was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863, and was a key border state during the American Civil War. It was the only state to form by separating from a Confederate state, the second to separate from a state after Maine separated from Massachusetts, and one of two states (along with Nevada) admitted to the Union during the Civil War. Some of its residents held slaves, but most were yeoman farmers, and the delegates provided for the gradual abolition of slavery in the new state constitution. The state legislature abolished slavery in the state, and at the same time ratified the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery nationally on February 3, 1865. West Virginia's Northern Panhandle extends adjacent to Pennsylvania and Ohio to form a tristate area, with Wheeling and Weirton just across the border from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Huntington in the southwest is close to Ohio and Kentucky, while Martinsburg and Harpers Ferry in the Eastern Panhandle region are considered part of the Washington metropolitan area, between Maryland and Virginia. West Virginia is often included in several U.S. geographical regions, including the Mid-Atlantic, the Upland South, and the Southeastern United States. It is the only state entirely within the area served by the Appalachian Regional Commission; the area is commonly defined as "Appalachia". The state is noted for its mountains and rolling hills, its historically significant coal mining and logging industries, and its political and labor history. It is also known for a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities, including skiing, whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and hunting. From the Great Depression to the 1990s, the state voted heavily for the Democratic Party due to its tradition of union-based politics. Since then, the state has become heavily Republican, and is considered a "deep red" state at the federal level. Other nominated names for the state included Vandalia, Kanawha, Appalachia, and Western Virginia. The capital was originally Wheeling, before switching to Charleston, moving back to Wheeling, and finally back to Charleston. The first governor was Arthur Boreman.