About Virginia

Virginia is located on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. It is the fourth largest of the South Atlantic States and thirty-sixth in size among the 50 states. The total area of Virginia is 40,767 square miles (105,586 square kilometers). It extends 440 miles east to west (470 miles point to point) and 200 miles north to south.

The State Flag of Virginia bears the Great Seal of the Commonwealth on a field of blue. The seal depicts the goddess "Virtus" dressed as an Amazon, armed with a spear and sword, standing over a defeated despot. The seal displays the State Motto, "Sic Semper Tyrannis," which is Latin for, "Thus Always to Tyrants."

In 1918, the state floral emblem commonly known as the American dogwood (Cornus florida) was adopted. It was selected to foster a feeling of pride in Virginia and to stimulate an interest in the history and traditions of the Commonwealth. The General Assembly chose the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) as the state bird in 1950, because of its bright plumage and cheerful song. In eighteenth-century England, the cardinal was called the "Virginia nightingale." The cardinal is part of the finch family.

Virginia Residency

As with many states or commonwealths, there are two different and distinct types of residency. The majority of Virginia Residents are Actual Residents, those who live in Virginia and maintain a residence for more than 183 cumulative days of a tax year. The second type are Domicilary Residents. These are individuals who do not live in the state, but maintain that it is their home. This group includes active duty military, students, and actual residents who accept work in another country. (It is possible to be both an Actual and Domiciliary Resident.) For more information on Virginia Residency, see http://www.tax.virginia.gov/site.cfm?alias=ResidencyStatus. For questions related to Virginia's state tax system, please visit the Virginia Department of Taxation's web site at http://www.tax.virginia.gov/.

Climate

A mild to humid coastal climate is characteristic of Virginia.

• Record high temperature: 110 degrees F (43 C) at Columbia on July 5, 1954.
• Record low temperature: -29 degrees F (36 C) at Monterey on February 10, 1899.
• Average July temperature: 75 degrees F (24 C).
• Average January temperature: 36 degrees F (2 C).
• Average yearly precipitation: 43 inches (109 cm).

Counties In Virginia

For more information about specific counties in Virginia, please visit these convenient sites:

• County Map with Links to County Web Sites
• County Map with Links to Federal Stats

Topography

The state of Virginia includes three physiographic areas:

• Atlantic Coastal Plain or Tidewater
• Piedmont Plateau
• Appalachian chain

Highest Peak: Mt. Rogers at 5,729 feet (1,746 m)

Major Rivers: Potomac, Rappahannock, York, and James

Unique Landforms: The Natural Bridge, Luray Caverns.

The Natural Bridge, located 45 miles south of Staunton, Virginia, is one of the state's-- and the world's -- most interesting landforms. Boasted as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, this bridge is 215 feet tall, 90 feet wide and over 100 million years old. A great place to visit! For more information check out The Natural Bridge.

Luray Caverns is a U.S. landmark and is eastern America's largest caverns. This formation, known for its beautiful array of natural colors, boasts a wide range of formations and the haunting sounds of the world's only Stalacpipe Organ. See Luray Caverns for more information.

Flora and Fauna

The following is a short list of trees and animals that are native to Virginia:

Trees

• 12 varieties of oak
• 5 varieties of pine
• 2 varieties of walnut
• Locust, gum and poplar

Indigenous Mammals

• White-tailed Virginia deer
• Elk
• Black bear
• Bobcat
• Woodchuck
• Raccoon
• Opossum

Source: Worldmark Encyclopedia of the States, Worldmark Press, Ltd. 1995.

Other Sites of Interest About Virginia

Official Virginia Tourism web site	www.virginia.org
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services	www.vdacs.state.va.us
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation	www.dcr.state.va.us
Virginia Department of Forestry	www.dof.virginia.gov/index.shtml
Virginia Economic Development Partnership	www.yesvirginia.org
Virginia General Assembly Online:	legis.state.va.us
Virginia's Native Americans:	indians.vipnet.org
The Wildlife Center of Virginia	www.wildlifecenter.org