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'''Virginia''', so named in honor  of the "virgin queen" of England, [[Queen Elizabeth I]], was nicknamed the ''Old Dominion'' by King Charles II because Virginia remained loyal to the crown during the [[English Civil War]] and throughout Cromwell's years. Formally known as the Commonwealth of Virginia, this commonwealth was one of the first [[colony|colonies]] in [[North America]] in the 1600s and joined the [[United States of America]] in 1788.  

'''Virginia''', so named in honor  of the "virgin queen" of England, [[Queen Elizabeth I]], was nicknamed the ''Old Dominion'' by King Charles II because Virginia remained loyal to the crown during the [[English Civil War]] and throughout Cromwell's years. Formally known as the Commonwealth of Virginia, this commonwealth was one of the first [[colony|colonies]] in [[North America]] in the 1600s and joined the [[United States of America]] in 1788.  

Because of this the C&O Canal (Chesapeake and Ohio Canal) was constructed above the Fall Line. The goal was to unite the Chesapeake Bay with the Ohio River system the way the Erie Canal had opened up the Great Lakes below Niagara.  Many important Virginia cities such as Alexandria, Richmond and Petersburg are just below the Fall Line.  

Because of this the C&O Canal (Chesapeake and Ohio Canal) was constructed above the Fall Line. The goal was to unite the Chesapeake Bay with the Ohio River system the way the Erie Canal had opened up the Great Lakes below Niagara.  Many important Virginia cities such as Alexandria, Richmond and Petersburg are just below the Fall Line.  

===Tidewater===

===Tidewater===

===Blue Ridge===

===Blue Ridge===

The Blue Ridge is a range of mountains rise up above the Piedmont and mark the point where the Applachian Mountains rise up above the Piedmont. The [[Shenandoah National Park]] and the [[Skyline Drive]] are Blue Ridge tourist destinations. Apples orchards are common in this region, but the industry is not as vibrant as it was historically. [[http://www.whitehousefoods.com/ | White House Foods]], a major apple juicer and product packager, draws many of its apples from this region. Cities are uncommon, perhaps unknown in this region, but "mountain people" inhabitated much of the highlands before they were converted to parks.  Mountain people, sometimes called ''hill-billies'', had a unique culture devoted to life in the highland. <ref>Memories of a Lewis Mountain Man by John W. Stoneberger published by Potomac Applachian Trail Club</ref><ref>http://www.patc.net/store/PC320.htm</ref>

The Blue Ridge is a range of mountains rise up above the Piedmont and mark the point where the Applachian Mountains rise up above the Piedmont. The [[Shenandoah National Park]] and the [[Skyline Drive]] are Blue Ridge tourist destinations. Apples orchards are common in this region, but the industry is not as vibrant as it was historically. [[http://www.whitehousefoods.com/ | White House Foods]], a major apple juicer and product packager, draws many of its apples from this region. Cities are uncommon, perhaps unknown in this region, but "mountain people" inhabited much of the highlands before they were converted to parks.  Mountain people, sometimes called ''hill-billies'', had a unique culture devoted to life in the highland. <ref>Memories of a Lewis Mountain Man by John W. Stoneberger published by Potomac Appalachian Trail Club</ref><ref>http://www.patc.net/store/PC320.htm</ref>

===Valley and Ridge===

===Valley and Ridge===

Beyond the Blue Ridge is the ''Valley and Ridge Region''. Perhaps the most famous part of the Valley and Ridge Region west of the Blue Ridge is the Shenandoah Valley. Stonewall Jackson's Valley campaign was fought throughout this region.  Cities in this region developed in proximity to the early railroad system, and this figured into the strategy of the [[American Civil War | War Between the States]]. Manassas, Harrisonburg and Roanoke are important cities in this region.

Beyond the Blue Ridge is the ''Valley and Ridge Region''. Perhaps the most famous part of the Valley and Ridge Region west of the Blue Ridge is the Shenandoah Valley. Stonewall Jackson's Valley campaign was fought throughout this region.  Cities in this region developed in proximity to the early railroad system, and this figured into the strategy of the [[American Civil War | War Between the States]]. Manassas, Harrisonburg and Roanoke are important cities in this region.

 

===Appalachian Plateau===

===Applachian Plateau===

The southwest corner of Virginia between [[West Virginia]] and [[Tennessee]] makes up Virginia's Appalachian Plateau. The region is similar geographically to West Virginia with rugged terrain not well-suited to the development of large cities. Coal mining is an important industry in this part of Virginia.

The southwest corner of Virginia between [[West Virginia]] and [[Tennessee]] makes up Virginia's Applachian Plateau. The region is similar geographically to West Virginia with rugged terrain not well-suited to the development of large cities. Coal mining is an important industry in this part of Virginia.

==Regions, Counties and Cities==

==Regions, Counties and Cities==

The unofficial motto and tourist marketing slogan of the Commmonwealth is ''Virginia is for Lovers'' but the official State Motto is ''Sic Semper Tyrannis'', a Latin phrase meaning "Thus Always to Tyrants". <ref>http://www.state.va.us/cmsportal2/facts_and_history_4096/facts_4104/trivia_facts.html</ref>  

The unofficial motto and tourist marketing slogan of the Commmonwealth is ''Virginia is for Lovers'' but the official State Motto is ''Sic Semper Tyrannis'', a Latin phrase meaning "Thus Always to Tyrants". <ref>http://www.state.va.us/cmsportal2/facts_and_history_4096/facts_4104/trivia_facts.html</ref>  

 

The front of the Great Seal of Virginia (called the obverse) features the Roman goddess Virtus standing over a defeated opponent. Virtus wears a blue tunic exposing her left breast. One arm rests on a spear, the other carries a sheathed sword. This goddess stands in a triumpant victor's with one foot on the chest of a fallen tyrant, whose crown lies at Virtus' feet. ''Sic Semper Tyrannis'' arches at the bottom the image and "Virginia" symetrically arches above Virtus. <ref>http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/seals/va_seal.htm</ref> The reverse (or back side) of the Seal features the Latin word ''Perseverando'' (Persevering) and a depiction of three robed Roman godesses figures who represent Libertas, Ceres and Aeternitas.    Ceres the goddes of agriculture holds a horn of plenty with other symbols of agricultural bounty. In the center of the reverse, Libertas, the goddess of liberty, holds a wand at the top of the wand hangs a Phrygian Cap, also known as a Liberty Cap. To the right of Libertas is Aeternitas or "Eternity" holding a orb representing Virginia's authority.

The front of the Great Seal of Virginia (called the obverse) features the Roman goddess Virtus standing over a defeated opponent. Virtus wears a blue tunic exposing her left breast. One arm rests on a spear, the other carries a sheathed sword. This goddess stands in a triumpant victor's with one foot on the chest of a fallen tyrant, whose crown lies at Virtus' feet. ''Sic Semper Tyrannis'' arches at the bottom the image and "Virginia" symetrically arches above Virtus. <ref>http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/seals/va_seal.htm</ref> The reverse (or back side) of the Seal features the latin word ''Perseverando'' (Persevering) and a depiction of three robed Roman godesses figures who represent Libertas, Ceres and Aeternitas.    Ceres the goddes of agriculture holds a horn of plenty with other symbols of agricultural bounty. In the center of the reverse, Libertas, the goddess of liberty, holds a wand at the top of the wand hangs a Phrygian Cap, also known as a Liberty Cap. To the right of Libertas is Aeternitas or "Eternity" holding a orb representing Virginia's authority.

<ref>http://legis.state.va.us/cap_class/4-5/4_5_emb_symb.html#Emblems</ref>

<ref>http://legis.state.va.us/cap_class/4-5/4_5_emb_symb.html#Emblems</ref>

Virginia's flag features the Great Seal of the Commonwealth on white center over a field of royal blue. Many web images depict a light blue flag, but the actual flag is a rich purplish blue. The General Assembly adopted an official flag salute in 1954:

Virginia's flag features the Great Seal of the Commonwealth on white center over a field of royal blue. Many web images depict a light blue flag, but the actual flag is a rich purplish blue. The General Assembly adopted an official flag salute in 1954:

* State Fossil: Chesapeten Jeffersonius

* State Fossil: Chesapeten Jeffersonius

* State Insect: Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

* State Insect: Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

* State Shell: Oyster Shell <ref>http://legis.state.va.us/cap_class/4-5/4_5_emb_symb.html#Emblems</ref>[[Image:11121.gif]]

* State Shell: Oyster Shell <ref>http://legis.state.va.us/cap_class/4-5/4_5_emb_symb.html#Emblems</ref>

==Transportation==

==Transportation==