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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.  

Originally, roughly one-third of the federal city at [[Washington D.C.]] was on the Virginia side of the Potomac, but in 1847 this territory reverted back to Virginia. However, because of Virginia's proximity to [[Washington D.C.]], Virginia is the home to many important government buildings and agencies such as [[the Pentagon]], [[Arlington National Cemetary]] and the [[U.S. Patent and Trade Office]].  

Originally, roughly one-third of the federal city at [[Washington D.C.]] was on the Virginia side of the Potomac, but in 1847 this territory reverted back to Virginia. However, because of Virginia's proximity to [[Washington D.C.]], Virginia is the home to many important government buildings and agencies such as [[the Pentagon]], [[Arlington National Cemetery]] and the [[U.S. Patent and Trade Office]].  

==Mother of Presidents==

==Mother of Presidents==

==Geological Regions of Virginia==

==Geological Regions of Virginia==

Virginia is commonly divided into five geological regions, Tidewater, Piedmont, Blue Ridge, Valley and Ridge and the Applachia Plateau. There are no formal lines demarking these regions and any political boundaries, such as county or city boundaries are coincidental. However, these regions have identifiable geology which differentiates them.  

Virginia is commonly divided into five geological regions, Tidewater, Piedmont, Blue Ridge, Valley and Ridge and the Appalachia Plateau. There are no formal lines marking these regions and any political boundaries, such as county or city boundaries are coincidental. However, these regions have identifiable geology which differentiates them.  

===Fall Line===

===Fall Line===

The ''Fall Line'' is so named because it demarks a line where many waterfalls occur in Virginia Rivers. Below the Fall Line most rivers, such as the James and Potomac and Rappahannok, are broad, deep and gentle, but above the Fall Line the rivers are rockier and swifter. Below the Fall Line rivers are navigable by ocean-going vessels. Above the Fall Line canoes and flat boats are the only means to navigate most rivers.  

The ''Fall Line'' is so named because it marks a line where many waterfalls occur in Virginia Rivers. Below the Fall Line most rivers, such as the James and Potomac and Rappahannok, are broad, deep and gentle, but above the Fall Line the rivers are rockier and swifter. Below the Fall Line rivers are navigable by ocean-going vessels. Above the Fall Line canoes and flat boats are the only means to navigate most rivers.  

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.  

==Regions, Counties and Cities==

==Regions, Counties and Cities==

Virginia has evolved into several different cultural regions which have very divergent economic interests, lifestyle goals and ways of life.  Northern Virginia is one of the wealthiest, best educated and most developed parts of the United States and thus the entire world. Traffic congestion is a common problem and the Metro (subway system) aids commuters into and out of Washington D.C., Arlington and Alexandria. High technology industries and U.S. government jobs are leading employers in this region. Southwestern Virginia is mountainous with coal mining and few other industries. The Virginia Beach/Norfolk Region is home to several major military installations and [[ship]]-building foundries. Central Virginia is dominated by mid-sized cities with disproportionate political strength such as [[Richmond]]. The [[Chesapeake Bay]] seperates the Eastern Shore of Virgina from the rest of Virgina. The Eastern Shore is the Virginia portion of the [[Delmarva Pennisula]] and is sparsely populated flat and sandy.

Virginia has evolved into several different cultural regions which have very divergent economic interests, lifestyle goals and ways of life.  Northern Virginia is one of the wealthiest, best educated and most developed parts of the United States and thus the entire world. Traffic congestion is a common problem and the Metro (subway system) aids commuters into and out of Washington D.C., Arlington and Alexandria. High technology industries and U.S. government jobs are leading employers in this region. Southwestern Virginia is mountainous with coal mining and few other industries. The Virginia Beach/Norfolk Region is home to several major military installations and [[ship]]-building foundries. Central Virginia is dominated by mid-sized cities with disproportionate political strength such as [[Richmond]]. The [[Chesapeake Bay]] separates the Eastern Shore of Virgina from the rest of Virgina. The Eastern Shore is the Virginia portion of the [[Delmarva Peninsula]] and is sparsely populated flat and sandy.

Virginia is organized into a system of counties and independent cities. Towns are incorporated in counties, and towns have the power to levy taxes in addition to those imposed by the county. Arlington is organized as a county, but it is completely urbanized, and there are no towns in the county limits, so for all practical purposes, Arlington is a city.  

Virginia is organized into a system of counties and independent cities. Towns are incorporated in counties, and towns have the power to levy taxes in addition to those imposed by the county. Arlington is organized as a county, but it is completely urbanized, and there are no towns in the county limits, so for all practical purposes, Arlington is a city.  

==Flag, Seal and Official Symbols & Emblems==

==Flag, Seal and Official Symbols & Emblems==

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 Commonwealth 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" symmetrically 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 goddesses figures who represent Libertas, Ceres and Aeternitas.    Ceres the goddess 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>