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Virginia, the "Old Dominion"

Abbreviation: VA

Virginia was named for Elizabeth I, the Queen of England. Virginia is the tenth one of the original 13 states to join the Union (1788). Virginia holds an important place in American history, as it was home to many of the founding fathers, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Mason, and Patrick Henry. Four of America's first five presidents were Virginians. During the Civil War, Richmond, Virginia's capital, was the capital of the Confederacy. Virginia was the site of some of the most important events in American history. The first permanent English settlement was established by the Virginia Company at Jamestown in 1607. Famous homes include George Washington's Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, and tidal rivers offer beach sports, sailing and fishing.

GOVERNMENT

Capital: Richmond
Governor: Mary Warner, D (seat up 2005)
Senators: John Warner, R (to Jan. 2009); George Allen, R (to Jan. 2007)
House of Representatives: 11 districts | Search by zip code

STATISTICS

Population (April 2000): 7,078,515; National Rank: 12; Percent change since 1990: 14,4%; State Rank based on Percent Change: 16
Land Area: 39,598 sq mi. (102,558 sq km); National Rank: 35
10 largest cities (2000): Virginia Beach, 425,257; Norfolk, 234,403; Chesapeake, 199,184; Richmond, 197,790; Newport News, 180,150; Hampton CDP, 146,437; Alexandria, 128,283; Portsmouth, 100,565; Roanoke, 94,911; Lynchburg, 65,269

ECONOMY

Total Gross State Product 2001 (millions of dollars): 273,070; National rank: 13; Percent change since 1990: 46%; National Rank based on Growth Rate: 18
Per Capita Personal Income 2001: $32,388; National Rank: 11 (106% of the national average)
State Exports 2002 (millions of dollars): 10,795; National Rank: 18
Agriculture: Cattle, poultry, dairy products, tobacco, hogs, soybeans.
Industry: Transportation equipment, textiles, food processing, printing, electric equipment, chemicals.

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