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[[Image:West_Virginia_State_Flag.gif|thumb|right|The state flag of West Virginia.]]

[[Image:West_Virginia_State_Flag.gif|thumb|right|The state flag of West Virginia.]]

West Virginia became a state on June 20, 1863, after separating from Virginia during the War Between the States. The official nickname is "The Mountain State" and the state has the highest mean elevation on any east of the Mississippi River. West Viriginia is comprised of 55 counties lying between the Ohio River on the west and the high Allegheny rigdes of the Appalachian Mountains on the East.  

'''West Virginia''' became a state on June 20, 1863, after separating from Virginia during the War Between the States. The official nickname is "The Mountain State" and the state has the highest mean elevation on any east of the Mississippi River. West Viriginia is comprised of 55 counties lying between the Ohio River on the west and the high Allegheny rigdes of the Appalachian Mountains on the East.  

It's odd shape, most boundaries following rivers and ridges, has caused one Mountaineer to remark, "It is a pretty good state for the shape it's in."

It's odd shape, most boundaries following rivers and ridges, has caused one Mountaineer to remark, "It is a pretty good state for the shape it's in."

The State Flower is the Rhododendron; the tree is the Sugar Maple; State Bird is the Cardinal, and the State Animal is the Black Bear.

The State Flower is the Rhododendron; the tree is the Sugar Maple; State Bird is the Cardinal, and the State Animal is the Black Bear.

West Virginia is about 80% forested which accounts for much logging industry. It was also one of the leading coal producing states, often rotating with Kentucky as the number one producer. It is also a very productive farm state, and formerly a leader in steel and chemical prodution - before so much industry moved oversees.

West Virginia is about 80% forested which accounts for much logging industry. It was also one of the leading coal producing states, often rotating with Kentucky as the number one producer. It is also a very productive farm state, and formerly a leader in steel and chemical prodution - before so much industry moved oversees.

Because of the state's spectacular rugged terrain, it is an attraction to campers, fisherman, hunters, whitewater rafters, hang gliders, and hikers.

Because of the state's spectacular rugged terrain, it is an attraction to campers, fisherman, hunters, spelunkers, whitewater rafters, hang gliders, and hikers.

The state was the birthplace of many men and woman of reknown including Pearl S. Buck, General Stonewall Jackson, and Don Knotts.  

The state was the birthplace of many men and woman of reknown including Pearl S. Buck, General Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson, General Chuck Yeager, John Henry the "steel drivin' man," and Don Knotts.  

Since 1928, West Virginia has generally voted mostly for Democratic candidates when a new President was being elected. However, the voters did help reelect some Republican presidents such as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan. In 2000, for the first time since 1928, the voters of West Virginia helped put a new Republican into the White House.   

Since 1928, West Virginia has generally voted mostly for Democratic candidates when a new President was being elected. However, the voters did help reelect some Republican presidents such as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan. In 2000, for the first time since 1928, the voters of West Virginia helped put a new Republican into the White House.