Virginia is a state of rich heritage and extraordinary natural
beauty. Its attractions are as broad and diverse as its geography
and as abundant as its history. Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean
to the Allegheny Mountains, Virginia is a mixture of colonial towns,
cultural activities, and recreational opportunities.
Virginia is the fourth largest of the south Atlantic states and
the 12th most populous state in the nation. More than 75 percent of
all Virginians live in metropolitan areas. Richmond, the state
capital, is a leading center for manufacturing, finance, trade, and
corporate centers.
While the northern part of the state is cosmopolitan, the
southern and central regions are composed of pastoral flatland
communities and rolling hills. There are beaches, marshes, and
inland waterways in the Hampton Roads and Peninsula regions. And,
you'll find that small-town America still exists in the majestic
Blue Ridge Valley and southwest regions.
The north Virginia section of Washington, DC, is the fastest
growing area in the state. Known as the "technological boom town,"
it is becoming one of the nation's leading high-technology centers
for computer software, information technology, and
telecommunications.
Hampton Roads is a world transportation and manufacturing hub.
Home to more than 1.5 million Virginians, this community includes
Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach on the
south side of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. To the north are
Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, and the counties of
James City, Gloucester, and York. The Port of Virginia, the second
largest on the East Coast, has long been the backbone of the
region's economy. A sophisticated integration of sea, air, land, and
rail transportation contributes to the success of the area's
economy.
The Roanoke Valley, also known as a manufacturing mecca, is the
largest metropolitan area in western Virginia. It provides easy
access to two-thirds of the country within a day's drive. Of course,
no visit to Virginia would be complete without seeing at least part
of the scenic 105-mile Skyline Drive and the Virginia portion of the
Blue Ridge Parkway in the western mountains.
