West Virginia - Political   Capital Charleston Largest City Charleston Major Cities Huntington, Parkersburg Nicknames Mountain State Area 24,195 sq. miles Population 1,808,344

 

West Virginia - Physical features   Physical Features Allegheny Plateau, Cumberland Plateau, Allegheny Mountains, Appalachian Mountains, Blue Ridge Mountains Rivers Ohio, Kanawha, Little Kanawha, Potomac, South Branch Potomac, Monongahela Highest Point Spruce Knob Bordering States Ohio (northwest), Kentucky (southwest), Virginia (south), Maryland (northeas), Pennsylvania (north) National Parks None Key Products Coal, Natural Gas, Salt Natural Resources Salt

 

West Virginia - History   1861 Due to anti-slavery feelings unlike those of Virginia’s, West Virginia became a separate political entity in the United States 1863 Becomes the 35th state Present Day West Virginia is helping to make tourism an ever-growing industry for itself. The scenic countryside, with its mountains, rivers, and woods, attracts tourists from around the world. Attractions such as those at New River Gorge Bridge keep tourism active year-round

 

West Virginia - Facts   West Virginia ranks second in the production of coal. Coal production and mining reached its peak in the year 1949 The Big Sandy and Tug Fork rivers help form West Virginia’s border with Kentucky West Virginia holds the record for the highest average elevation of any state east of the Mississippi river West Virginia has two panhandles. The land between Ohio and Pennsylvania is referred to as the Northern Panhandle, the Ohio river forming its entire western border. The land between the Potomac river to the north and West Virginia’s border with Virginia in the south is referred to as the Eastern Panhandle John Brown’s raid on the US Armory at Harper’s Ferry was one of the key events that began the Civil War. Though Brown did not succeed, he turned Harper’s Ferry into one of the most historic resorts in the nation West Virginia is the only state with two panhandles