West Virginia
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| Abbreviation | WV Source: United States Postal Service – Abbreviations |
|---|---|
| Capital | Charleston |
| Population | 1,852,994 Source: Resident Population Data – 2010 Census |
| Governor | Earl Ray Tomblin (Democrat, to January 2017) |
| Entered the Union | June 20, 1863 as the 35th state |
| Motto | Montani semper liberi (Mountaineers are always free) |
| Nickname | The Mountain State |
| Flower | Rhododendron |
| Bird | Cardinal |
| Song | West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home; The West Virginia Hills; and This is My West Virginia |
| Professional Sports Teams | No NFL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, MLS, or NHL teams. (sports listing policy) |
| Origin of Name | Like Virginia: in honor of Elizabeth, Virgin Queen of England |
| Historical Sites | Historic homes in the Eastern Panhandle area of the state |
| Points of Interest | Harpers Ferry and New River Gorge National River; the Greenbrier and Berkeley Springs resorts, and the Cass scenic railroad |
| Bordering States | West Virginia borders Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania. |
| Flag |  |
Follow these links to read articles about West Virginia from Encyclopedias and Almanacs:
Official State Links
- WV.gov: Your Official West Virginia State Web Portal
http://www.wv.gov/
This is the official website for the State of West Virginia. - West Virginia Library Commission
http://librarycommission.lib.wv.us/
Here is the homepage for the West Virginia State Library Agency. - West Virginia Historical Society
http://www.wvhistorical.com/
Here is the homepage for the West Virginia State Historical Society. - West Virginia State Museum
Here is the homepage for the West Virginia State Museum. - West Virginia State Archives and History
http://www.wvculture.org/history/
Here is the homepage for the West Virginia State Archives. - West Virgina State Parks & Forests
http://www.wvparks.com/
Here is the homepage for West Virginia State Parks. - West Virginia: Wild and Wonderful
Here is the official state tourism website for West Virginia.
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.