West Virginia
was admitted to the Union as a separate state on June 20, 1863.
It is the only state in the Union to secede from a
confederate state (Virginia),
and is one of only 2 states created during the American Civil War;
the other being Nevada.
West Virginia is bordered by
Pennsylvania to the north;
by Ohio to the north and west;
by Kentucky to the west;
by Maryland to the north and east;
and by Virginia to the
east and south.
Some sections of the border follow the
Ohio river and Potomac river.
West Virginia
is nicknamed The Mountain State.
It is the
only state in the nation located entirely within the
Appalachian Mountains, and all areas of the state are mountainous.
The highest point in the state is called Spruce Knob (4863 ft~1482 m).
West Virginia has a
population of just over 1.8 million.
Only about 1% of the state's residents were foreign~born, placing
West Virginia
last among the 50 states.
Less than 3% of residents speak a language other
than English in the home, the lowest percentage in the
United States.
WEATHER
Average January temperatures range from around 28° F (-2° C)
to 43° F (5° C).
July averages range from 67° F (19° C)
to 76° F (24° C).
It is cooler in the mountains than in the lower sections of the state.
West Virginia is also one of the
least sunny states in the nation, with over 210 cloudy days per year.
In addition to persistent cloudy skies caused by the trapping of moisture
by the Alleghenies, West Virginia
also experiences some of the most frequent precipitation in the nation,
with some areas averaging nearly 200 days a year with either rain or snow.
Annual precipitation ranges from less than 32 inches (810 mm)
to more than 56 inches (1400 mm).
Slightly more than half the rainfall occurs from April to September.
Snow usually lasts only a few days in the lower sections but may persist
for weeks in the higher mountain areas.
An average of 34 inches (86 cm) of snow falls annually
in Charleston.
Average snowfall in the Allegheny Highlands can range up to
180 inches per year.
ECONOMY
The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
is the largest, most influential general
business organization in the State.
Members represent all business sectors
in every region of West Virginia,
ranging from small business enterprises
to mid~size manufacturers
to Fortune 500 corporations.
Small businesses are the core of the membership,
making up 95% of the Chamber.
Every day the Chamber's staff,
leaders and volunteers work to make
West Virginia a better place to do
business by giving private~sector employers
a voice in state politics and protecting
business interests before regulatory bodies,
the Legislature and the courts.
The West Virginia Business Organizations Division
is the 1st stop on the path to success for West Virginia businesses.
The Secretary of State maintains the official state archive for
records of formation, change and termination of 6 major
business types: corporations,
limited liability companies,
limited partnerships,
limited liability partnerships,
voluntary associations,
and business trusts.
A major resources in West Virginia's economy is coal.
West Virginia also engages in oil drilling.
Farming is practiced on a limited basis in West Virginia,
because of mountainous terrain covering much
of the state.
West Virginia is
the 3rd lowest in per capita income,
ahead of only Arkansas and
Mississippi.
SCHOOLS
Each county in West Virginia equals a school district.
Education in West Virginia is controlled by the
West Virginia Department of Education.
The West Virginia Board of Education
is established in the
West Virginia Constitution.
Its 12 members include 9 citizens appointed by the governor
and 3 non~voting ex~officio members:
the State Superintendent of Schools,
the Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission,
and the Chancellor of Community and Technical Education.
The State Superintendent is a constitutional officer who serves at the
will of the board.
Board members serve overlapping terms of 9 years,
and no more than five citizen members may belong
to the same political party.
The West Virginia Dept of Education
establishes policies
and rules to assure implementation of education goals and to
ensure the general supervision, oversight and monitoring of
a thorough and efficient educational system
(834 elementary and secondary schools).
The strategic goals of the Board are as follows:
- All students shall master or exceed grade level educational
standards that reflect 21st century skills and learning.
- All students shall receive a seamless pre~kindergarten through
20 curriculum designed and delivered with broad stakeholder involvement
to promote lifelong learning in a global society.
- All students and school personnel shall develop and promote
responsibility, citizenship, strong character and healthful living.
- All students shall be educated in school systems that operate
and deliver services efficiently and effectively.
- All students shall be educated by highly qualified personnel.
For more details please contact the
West Virginia Department of Education.
HOSPITALITY
West Virginia is a land of
rich heritage, unparalleled beauty and warm hospitality.
See everything the Mountain State has to offer.
Plan your vacation, weekend retreat, ski run, whitewater adventure,
golf outing, hiking or biking trip, camping excursion, vacation rental,
outdoor recreation, National Park or State Park visit,
or simply a day's outing.
West Virginia's spectacular mountains, swirling rivers, and
scenic countryside offer a welcome change of pace from the rush
of everyday life.
You'll find friendly cities full of fun and nightlife.
From wild to mild, from 5~star resorts to rustic retreats,
West Virginia truly has something
for everyone.
Ride the white water between sheer sandstone cliffs, or
paddle through morning mist on a serene lake.
Bike along meandering country roads, river~winding rail trails or
truly technical single tracks down steep mountainsides.
Lie back and watch sparkling night skies, or look all around you
for diverse botanical wonders.
Admire mile after mile of unspoiled splendor in every season -
from breathtaking mountain vistas to quiet gardens.
Relax in thousands upon thousands of acres of well~kept state parks
and national park forests. Nature is always nearby in West Virginia.
For more details please contact
West Virginia State Tourism.
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