At the time of the English colonization,
Native American people living in what now is Virginia,
included the Cherokee,
Chesepian, Chickahominy, Mattaponi, Meherrin, Monacan,
Nansemond, Nottoway, Pamunkey, Powhatan, Rappahannock,
Saponi and others.
They were divided into 3 groups, based to a large extent upon language differences;
the Algonquian, the Iroquois, and the Sioux.
The Commonwealth of Virginia was named after
the 'Virgin Queen', Elizabeth I of England.
It was the
first permanent New World English colony and became one
of the 13 original colonies that took part in the American Revolution.
The state seceded on Apr 17, 1861, and subsequently became the heart of the
Confederacy during the American Civil War.
Virginia formally rejoined the union on Jan 26, 1870.
The Virginia General Assembly,
founded in 1619, still exists and operates as the
oldest legislature in the Western Hemisphere.
Virginia is bordered by Maryland and the
District of Columbia to the north and east;
by the Atlantic Ocean to the east;
by North Carolina and
Tennessee to the south;
by Kentucky to the west and
by West Virginia to the north and west.
The boundary with Maryland does not
extend past the low~water mark of the southern shore of the Potomac River.
Virginia is divided into independent
cities and counties, which function in the same manner.
Independent cities are considered county~equivalent.
Of the 42 independent cities in the United States,
39 are in Virginia.
Virginia is 65% covered by forests, and
is the only state to have the same plant for state flower and state tree;
the Dogwood.
WEATHER
Virginia's weather
is officially considered a humid,
subtropical region due to winter frost,
and has been described as "not too hot~not too cold".
A mild, humid coastal climate is characteristic of Virginia.
It can get a bit muggy due to the abundant water
along the east coast.
Moving westward, temperatures become increasingly
cooler as altitudes rise.
The air is cooler with less moisture in the mountains;
on the average 10° cooler in all 4 seasons.
The normal daily temperature
ranges from 36° F (2 ° C) in January to 78 ° F (26° C) in July.
The record high, 110 ° F (43 ° C); the record low, –30 ° F (–34 ° C).
The frost~free growing season ranges from 140 days in the
mountains of the extreme west to over 250 in the
Norfolk area.
Annual precipitation in Richmond averages
43 in (111 cm).
In Norfolk, annual precipitation
averages 45 in (116 cm).
The average annual snowfall adds up to nearly 15 in (38 cm)
in Richmond but only 8 in (20 cm)
in Norfolk.
ECONOMY
The Virginia Chamber of Commerce
protects its members' interests
in a wide range of issues -
including taxation,
business legislation,
transportation,
environmental regulation,
workers' compensation and safety,
labor relations,
industry education,
employee training,
health~care, tort liability, technology,
economic development, and government operations.
Membership includes every size company from multi~national corporations
that ship worldwide to small family firms, representing
Virginia’s entire business community.
Virginia has an economy
that is well balanced with diverse sources of income.
Agriculture, was once the mainstay, but now follows other sectors
in both employment and income generation.
Major sources
of agricultural income are poultry, dairy goods, and cattle.
Tobacco is the leading crop, followed by grains, corn, soybeans,
peanuts, sweet potatoes, cotton, and apples.
Wine production is also big.
The coastal fisheries are large, bringing in shellfish
(mainly oysters and crabs).
Coal is Virginia's chief mineral.
Construction materials, such as stone, cement,
sand, and gravel, are also produced.
Within Virginia is a center for the rail transport equipment industry,
a center for aeronautical research, a major U.S. naval base,
and a U.S. naval shipyard.
In southeastern Virginia, a high proportion of America's shipyards are
clustered in a water area known as Hampton Roads,
one of the world's largest natural harbors.
Virginia has become the home of one of the largest
concentrations of computer communications firms in the United States.
Tens of thousands of Virginia residents
work for the government, many of those in the District of Columbia.
Manufactured goods include chemicals, electrical equipment,
food, textile, and paper products.
The success of the technology sector has made computer chips the state's leading export.
SCHOOLS
The Virginia Board of Education serves as the primary advocate for
quality education of all children and youth in the state.
The Board consists of 9 members appointed by the
Virginia Governor.
It is the governing and policy~making body for the
Virginia system
of public elementary and secondary education,
covering all facets of education from accountability
and evaluation to curriculum and teacher education.
The Vision: Create an excellent statewide system of public education
that derives strength from diversity and that ensures equality of
opportunity for each student in a safe and healthy learning environment
that prepares all students to be capable, responsible, and
self~reliant citizens in the global society.
The Mission: Set education policy and provide leadership that
improves the achievement of all students by advocating for
effective programs that address individual and diverse learning needs
of students, establishes high standards and has high expectations
for learning, measures student performance, provides accountability
to the public, and promotes a culture of lifelong learning.
The board seeks to promote excellence in the education of
all students and is responsible for policies that promote
educational quality throughout the state.
In this capacity, the board defines the fundamental
mission of the state’s education system and develops the
system’s long~range goals.
In order to meet these goals, the board enacts appropriate regulations,
supports local implementation efforts, and regularly measures the
performance of the system.
The main duties of the Board of Education include:
- Setting statewide curriculum standards.
- Establishing high school graduation requirements.
- Determining qualifications for classroom teachers, principals, and other education personnel.
- Establishing state testing and assessment programs.
- Establishing standards for accreditation of local school divisions and preparation programs for teachers and administrators.
- Implementing the No Child Left Behind Act and administering federal assistance programs.
- Developing rules and regulations for the administration of state programs.
For more details please contact the
Virginia Department of Education.
HOSPITALITY
Virginia is truly a 4~season destination with the geography
and climate to match every outdoor activity, adventure and sport,
whether it’s of the high~adrenaline or laid~back variety.
Enjoy the boardwalk and nightlife of busy Virgina Beach,
or explore the gentle shores and remote, pristine beaches,
of the barrier islands.
Swim, fish, boat, explore, or chill out and set up beach chairs.
Have a family adventure at theme parks, waterparks, zoos,
wildlife~watching adventures, and fun events every day of the week!
Virginia entertains with live blues,
folk, country, pop, jazz and classical performances all
over the state.
Bring your camp chair for plenty of free outdoor concerts.
There are museum shops, arts & crafts, one~of~a~kind antiques
and specialty foods.
Virginia is a shopper's paradise.
Don't forget to take home a souvenir.
All along the western regions there are peaks 4000 feet and higher.
Hike the 540~mile Appalachian Trail, or drive
the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive for some of the
most spectacular scenery in the world.
With more than 48 state parks, 4 national parks,
2 national forests and hundreds of convenient campgrounds,
Virginia is the ideal destination for campers,
whether they arrive in cars, RVs, on motorcycles,
or on foot with backpacks.
Choose one of Virginia’s many rustic cabins,
unique bed & breakfasts, or world~class luxury resorts to match your
taste and budget.
Virginia has the perfect accommodations for every lifestyle!
For more sporty accommodations, try a mountain lodge or hostel.
There is no shortage of cabins, chalets and outdoor activities.
Whether you enjoy getting away to a quiet country inn,
or being in the heart of high~rise, big~city action,
there's a motel, hotel, resort or rental house for your ideal
home away from home.
For more details please contact
Virginia State Tourism.
NEWS
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