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[[Image:West-virginia.gif|right|thumb|A map of West Virginia.]]

[[Image:West-virginia.gif|right|thumb|Map of West Virginia]]

[[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 the thirty-fifth 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 of any state east of the Mississippi River. West Virginia is comprised of 55 counties lying between the Ohio River on the west and the high Allegheny ridges of the Appalachian Mountains on the East.  

'''West Virginia''' became the thirty-fifth state on June 20, 1863, after separating from [[Virginia]] during the [[American Civil War]]. Its official nickname is "The Mountain State," which is apt considering that West Virginia has the highest mean elevation of any state east of the Mississippi River. West Virginians commonly refer to themselves Mountaineers.  The team name of the state's flagship university-- West Virginia University-- is also the Mountaineers.  "Montani semper libre," the state's slogan, means "Mountaineers will always be free." 

Its 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."

West Virginia is comprised of 55 counties lying between the Ohio River on the west and the high Allegheny ridges of the Appalachian Mountains on the East.  The northern border is formed by the North Branch Potomac River, the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania, and the Ohio River.  Its odd shape and long panhandles are the result of irregular borders with other states that follow rivers and ridges.  A Mountaineer once quipped, "It is a pretty good state for the shape it's in."

The population is 1,818,470.[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54000.html]

The population is 1,818,470.[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54000.html]

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 State Tree is the Sugar Maple; the State Bird is the Cardinal; and the State Animal is the Black Bear.

The capital city is [[Charleston]], population approximately 100,000, located on the Kanawha River, about 60 miles from where it flows into the Ohio.

The capital city is [[Charleston]] has a population of 51,394[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54/5414600.html] and is located on the Kanawha River in the south-central region of the state known as "Metro Valley."  In addition to Charleston, there are nine other metropolitan areas in West Virginia(some include parts of bordering states):

 

The highest elevation in West Virginia is Spruce Knob in Pendleton County at 4,862 feet.  

The highest elevation in West Virginia is Spruce Knob in Pendleton County at 4,862 feet.  

West Virginia is about 80% forested which accounts for much logging industry. It is also one of the leading [[coal]] producing states, in past decades often rotating with [[Kentucky]] as the number one producer although [[Wyoming]] has since surpassed both states to become the #1 coal producer. It is also a very productive farm state, and formerly a leader in steel and chemical production.

West Virginia is about 80% forested and supports a strong timber industry. It is also one of the leading [[coal]] producing states, in past decades often rotating with [[Kentucky]] as the number one coal producer.  [[Wyoming]] has recently surpassed both states as the #1 coal producer. West Virginia is also a productive agricultural state, and was a leader in steel and chemical production in the early and mid 20th century.

 

Because of the state's rugged terrain and vast wildlands, it is a mecca for campers, fisherman, hunters, spleunkers, 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 has been the birthplace of many notable men and woman, including Pearl S. Buck, General Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson, General Chuck Yeager, John Henry, Don Knotts, and Senator Robert C. Byrd.  

The state was the birthplace of many men and woman of renown 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 usually voted for Democratic presidential candidates and congressional representatives, with the notable exceptions of Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan, and again in 2000, when a Republican presidential candidate, George W. Bush, won the state's 5 electoral votes.  President Bush won West Virginia again in 2004.

'''West Virginia''' is the only state formed because of the [[American Civil War]]. The Commonwealth of [[Virginia]] wanted to secede from the Union, while many counties in western Virginia wanted to remain a part of the Union. To avoid seceding from the Union, these counties seceded from Virginia and created West Virginia. Sometimes called "Wild and Wonderful", "Wild and Woolly", John Denver's hit song 'Country Roads' has helped make West Virginia an icon of mountain life throughout the world.

Tourism brochures, driver's licenses, license plates, and road signs describe West Virginia with the slogan "Wild and Wonderful."  John Denver's hit song 'Country Roads' has helped make West Virginia a symbol of Appalachian life throughout the world.

{{USstates}}

{{USstates}}

[[Category:US state]]

[[Category:US state]]