Changes

Above the Fall Line are the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and the region whose name means "foot mountain". The Piedmont is rockier and higher than the coastal plain of the Tidewater. The Piedmont was settled by English pioneers in the earliest days of colonial America and later by African slaves who worked the plantations of the region. Tobacco and corn are still an important part of the Piedmont economy.  Scenic and historic cities such as Charlottesville and Lynchburg are two important Piedmont cities. The famed Appomattox Court House is in the Piedmont.

Above the Fall Line are the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and the region whose name means "foot mountain". The Piedmont is rockier and higher than the coastal plain of the Tidewater. The Piedmont was settled by English pioneers in the earliest days of colonial America and later by African slaves who worked the plantations of the region. Tobacco and corn are still an important part of the Piedmont economy.  Scenic and historic cities such as Charlottesville and Lynchburg are two important Piedmont cities. The famed Appomattox Court House is in the Piedmont.

===Blue Ridge===The Blue Ridge is a range of mountains that rises above the Piedmont and marks the point where the Appalachian Mountains rise above the Piedmont. The [[Shenandoah National Park]] and the Skyline Drive are Blue Ridge tourist destinations. Apple 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 ''hillbillies, rednecks, or other liberal slurs for reverse discrimination'', had a unique culture devoted to life in the highlands.<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>

===Blue Ridge===

The Blue Ridge is a range of mountains that rises above the Piedmont and marks the point where the Appalachian Mountains rise above the Piedmont. The [[Shenandoah National Park]] and the Skyline Drive are Blue Ridge tourist destinations. Apple 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 ''hillbillies, rednecks, or other liberal slurs for reverse discrimination'', had a unique culture devoted to life in the highlands.<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===

With the Yankees intent on capturing Richmond, Virginia became the main battlefield of the war, which it lost in 1865 when its greatest general, Robert E. Lee, surrendered.  

With the Yankees intent on capturing Richmond, Virginia became the main battlefield of the war, which it lost in 1865 when its greatest general, Robert E. Lee, surrendered.  

Reconstruction brought the liberation of the state's slaves, and proved less contentious than elsewhere in the South. Virginia was poor after 1865, though the new popularity of cigarettes boosted its tobacco industry. After 1940, prosperity returned. [[World War II]] gave the state a major naval and industrial economic base. Desegregation of schools and the integration of African Americans into many other aspects of society were major issues from the 1950s to the 1970s and the changes did not come without considerable efforts. However, in 1989 [[Douglas Wilder]] became the first elected black governor anywhere in the country. By the 1980s, the suburban fringes of Washington, D.C., known as Northern Virginia, saw the greatest growth and prosperity, a trend which was also seen in the [[Hampton Roads]] region.Politically, the state was a stronghold of conservative Democrats for most of the 20th century, with a new strength shown by conservative Republicans in the final decade. In the early 21st century, funding for transportation needs emerged as the most controversial single issue.  

Reconstruction brought the liberation of the state's slaves, and proved less contentious than elsewhere in the South. Virginia was poor after 1865, though the new popularity of cigarettes boosted its tobacco industry. After 1940, prosperity returned. [[World War II]] gave the state a major naval and industrial economic base. Desegregation of schools and the integration of African Americans into many other aspects of society were major issues from the 1950s to the 1970s and the changes did not come without considerable effort. However, in 1989 [[Douglas Wilder]] became the first elected black governor anywhere in the country. By the 1980s, the suburban fringes of Washington, D.C., known as Northern Virginia, saw the greatest growth and prosperity, a trend which was also seen in the [[Hampton Roads]] region. Politically, the state was a stronghold of conservative Democrats for most of the 20th century, with a new strength shown by conservative Republicans in the final decade. In the early 21st century, funding for transportation needs emerged as the most controversial single issue.  

In partisan terms, the two parties compete furiously for the legislature and the governorship. In presidential elections, Virginia was reliably Republican from 1968 until 2004, but in 2008, Obama won, thanks to the growing liberal strength in the Washington suburbs.

In partisan terms, the two parties compete furiously for the legislature and the governorship. In presidential elections, Virginia was reliably Republican from 1968 until 2004, but in 2008, Obama won, thanks to the growing liberal strength in the Washington suburbs.