West Virginia Geography

Basic Facts

• Geographical Region: South
• Size: 24231 sq.mi., 41st rank overall.
• Admitted to Statehood: June 20, 1863
• Population: 1,819,777;37th rank overall.
• Capital: Charleston
• Other Major City: Huntington
• Abbreviation: WV

Fun Facts

• Nickname: Mountain State
• State Flag: Click Here (opens window to 50states.com)
• State Bird: Cardinal (opens window to 50states.com)
• State Flower: Rhododendron (opens window to 50states.com)

Geographical Description

• West Virginia is located entirely within the Appalachian Mountain range. More specifically, about 75% lies within the Cumberland Plateau and Allegheny Plateau regions.
• The state is very rugged in most areas with an average elevation of 1,500 feet above sea level, the highest average elevation of any state east of the Mississippi River.
• The heavily forested mountains hide caverns and underground streams.
• Spruce Knob at 4,861 feet above sea level is the highest point in West Virginia
• Nearly 75% of West Virginia is covered by forests

Map: Relief Map of WV

Industry

oil, chemical products, mining, primary metals, stone, cement, clay, and glass products, natural gas, tourism

Agriculture

Apples, peaches, Cattle, tobacco, dairy products, poultry, corn.

Other Information

Fun Facts:

• West Virginia obtained its sovereignty by proclamation of the President of the United States. It is the only state to do so.
• Mother's Day was first celebrated in Grafton on May 10, 1908 at Andrews Church.
• The state with the oldest population is West Virginia with a median age of 40.
• West Virginia was the first state to enact a sales tax on July 1, 1921.
• The first major land battle fought between Union and Confederate soldiers in the Civil War was the Battle of Philippi on June 3, 1861.
• Standing 69 feet tall and 900 feet in circumference, Moundsville is the largest cone-shaped prehistoric burial mound on the continent.
• West Virginia is home to the only house built entirely of coal in White Sulphur Springs. To no surprise it is called the Coal House.
• West Virginian, Chester Merriman was 14 when he enlisted for World War I. He was the youngest soldier.

More Fun Facts: http://www.50states.com/facts/westva.htm