Virginia

Virginia, state in the southeastern United States; bordered by Maryland to the northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, North Carolina and Tennessee to the south, Kentucky to the west, and West Virginia to the west and northwest.

Land and climate

Virginia has 5 main land regions. The Atlantic Coastal Plain, also called the Tidewater, is a low-lying area of tidal waterways with some swamps or salt marshes. Covering most of central Virginia is the Piedmont, a low, rolling plateau that rises into the mountain peaks and valleys of the Blue Ridge region. The Appalachian Ridge and Valley region, covering most of western Virginia, consists of a series of parallel ridges separated by river valleys and lowlands. The rugged Appalachian Plateau, in the state's southwestern corner, contains extensive coal deposits. Virginia's major rivers are the James, Rappahannock, and Potomac. The state's largest lake, Kerr Reservoir, is artificial. Forests cover nearly two thirds of the state. Virginia has mild winters and warm summers. Principal cities are Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Richmond.

Economy

Virginia's economy is based on service industries and manufacturing. Chief manufactured goods are chemicals, tobacco products, processed foods, electrical and transportation equipment, and textiles. Agriculture and mining account for a small share of the state's economy. Chief livestock products are beef and dairy cattle and turkeys; chief crops are tobacco, soybeans, peanuts, corn, and hay. Chief mining products are coal and crushed stone. Virginia is the nation's leading producer of kyanite.

Government

Virginia's present constitution was adopted in 1971. The governor serves a 4-year term. The state's legislature, called the General Assembly, consists of 40 senators serving 4-year terms and 100 delegates serving 2-year terms. In the U.S. Congress, Virginia is represented by 2 senators and 11 representatives.

History

The Virginia area was home to various Native American tribes when the first European settlers—Spanish Jesuits—arrived in 1570. In 1607, the first permanent English settlement in the New World was established at Jamestown. In 1612, John Rolfe, a Jamestown settler, began raising tobacco, which became the basis of Virginia's economy. The first blacks came to Virginia as indentured servants in 1619; by 1715, blacks constituted about 25% of the population. Also in 1619, the House of Burgesses, the country's first representative legislature, was established. Virginia became a royal colony in 1624. It took a leading role in the American Revolution and events leading to it; distinguished Virginia patriots included Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and James Madison. In 1776, Virginia became the first American colony to adopt a constitution and a declaration of rights. During the Civil War, a Virginia convention voted to secede, but western Virginians supported the Union. The split led to the 1863 formation of the state of West Virginia. Virginia was readmitted to the Union in 1870. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Virginia became industrialized and urbanized. Desegregation and school integration became major issues in the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1970s and 1980s, major issues included antipollution and conservation efforts and problems related to falling demand for coal and tobacco, once key to Virginia's economy.