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Virginia Facts

Virginia Facts
The State of Virginia is located in the South-Atlantic United States. It shares state borders with Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Virginia borders on the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. Virginia is the 35th largest U.S. state with 42,774.2 square miles. It is the 12th most populated state with approximately 8,260,405 residents and it is ranked as the 14th most densely populated state. Prior to European settlement Virginia's region was inhabited by Native Americans. Jamestown, the first permanent English North American settlement, was founded in 1607. The next few centuries brought the American Revolution and the Civil War to Virginia's region, and in 1788 Virginia became the 10th U.S. state when it joined the Union.
Interesting Virginia Facts:
Queen Elizabeth I was known as the Virgin Queen, and it believed that the name Virginia was suggested for the region by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584.
The state nickname for Virginia is the Old Dominion.
Virginia's state motto is 'Sic Semper Tyrannis' which means 'Thus Always to Tyrants'.
The state song for Virginia is 'Carry Me Back to Old Virginia'.
Virginia's state flag was adopted in 1861 and features the goddess Virtue in the center.
Residents of Virginia are referred to as Virginians.
Virginia's capital city is Richmond and its largest city is Virginia Beach.
Virginia's state bird is the cardinal and the state insect is the tiger swallowtail butterfly.
Virginia's state fish is the brook trout and its state dog is the American fox hound.
Virginia's state flower is the American dogwood tree blossom and the state tree is also the American dogwood tree itself.
Eight U.S. Presidents were born in Virginia. George Washington was born in Westmoreland County; Thomas Jefferson was born in Shadwell; James Madison was born in Port Conway; James Monroe was born in Westmoreland County; William Harrison was born in Berkeley; John Tyler was born in Greenway; Zachary Taylor was born near Barboursville; Woodrow Wilson was born in Staunton.
Six U.S. President's wives were born in Virginia including Martha Washington, Martha Jefferson, Rachel Jackson, Edith Wilson, Ellen Arthur and Letitia Tyler.
Seven former U.S. Presidents are buried in Virginia including Kennedy, Taft, Tyler, Monroe, Madison, Jefferson and Washington.
Major rivers in Virginia include Shenandoah River, Potomac River, Rappahannock River, and James River.
Major lakes in Virginia include Philpott Lake, Pound Lake, John W. Flannagan Reservoir, John H. Kerr Reservoir, Gathright Dam and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
Major agriculture in Virginia includes peanuts, corn, sweet potatoes, ham, poultry, tobacco, cattle, apples, crab, and oysters.
Major industry in Virginia includes coal mining, U.S. Navy ships, timber for paper and furniture, and tourism.
The state of Virginia is also known as 'the birthplace of a nation'.
The American Revolution ended in Virginia.
Both Kentucky and West Virginia were originally sections of Virginia.
Arlington National Cemetery, also home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, is located in Virginia.
The first American Thanksgiving was held in Virginia in 1619.
The famous speech given by Patrick Henry in which he said 'Give me liberty or give me death,' was made in Richmond, Virginia.


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