Virginia - The Old Dominion
Capital: Richmond | Abbreviation: VA | Region: Southeast | Population: 8.7 million
Quick Facts
| Population | 8,683,619 |
| Area | 42,775 sq mi (110,787 km²) |
| Population Rank | 12th |
| Area Rank | 35th |
| Capital | Richmond |
| Largest City | Virginia Beach (459K) |
| Statehood | June 25, 1788 (10th state) |
| Time Zone | Eastern (UTC-5 / UTC-4) |
| Nickname | The Old Dominion |
Interactive Map
🔴 Richmond (Capital)
About Virginia
Virginia is a southeastern state with a population of 8.7 million, making it the twelfth-most populous state. The state capital is Richmond, while Virginia Beach is the largest city with 459,000 residents. Virginia was one of the original Thirteen Colonies and the tenth state to ratify the US Constitution. The state's nickname "Old Dominion" dates back to the colonial period when it was England's first colonial possession in North America.
Virginia holds an unparalleled place in American history. Jamestown (1607) was the first permanent English settlement in North America. Virginia was the birthplace of eight US presidents - more than any other state - including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. The state played a central role in the American Revolution and later became the heart of the Confederacy during the Civil War, with Richmond serving as the Confederate capital. More Civil War battles were fought in Virginia than in any other state.
Today, Virginia has a diverse, robust economy ranking 13th nationally in GDP. Northern Virginia (Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun counties) is part of the Washington DC metropolitan area and hosts numerous federal agencies, defense contractors, and technology companies. The Hampton Roads region is home to the largest naval base in the world (Naval Station Norfolk) and a major port. Virginia's economy includes technology, defense, agriculture (tobacco, poultry, dairy), tourism, and government services. The state is also home to numerous Fortune 500 companies including Capital One, Northrop Grumman, and Dollar Tree.
Geography & Climate
Virginia features five distinct geographic regions from mountains to coast:
- Tidewater: Coastal plain with Chesapeake Bay, beaches, wetlands
- Piedmont: Rolling hills, most populous region including Richmond
- Blue Ridge Mountains: Part of Appalachian range, Shenandoah National Park
- Ridge and Valley: Shenandoah Valley, agricultural region
- Appalachian Plateau: Far southwest, coal mining heritage
- Climate: Humid subtropical, humid continental in mountains, four seasons
Major Cities
Virginia Beach
Population: 459,470
Metro: Part of Hampton Roads
Known For: Beaches, oceanfront boardwalk, resort city, tourism, military presence
Chesapeake
Population: 252,634
Known For: Great Dismal Swamp, suburban community, diverse economy
Arlington
Population: 238,643
Known For: Arlington National Cemetery, Pentagon, DC suburbs, urban county
Norfolk
Population: 238,005
Known For: Naval Station Norfolk (world's largest naval base), port, shipbuilding
Richmond
Population: 226,610
Metro: 1.3M
Known For: State capital, former Confederate capital, history, Monument Avenue
Newport News
Population: 186,247
Known For: Newport News Shipbuilding, military, aerospace, maritime industry
Presidential Birthplace
Virginia is the birthplace of eight US presidents, earning the title "Mother of Presidents":
- George Washington (1st President) - Westmoreland County, "Father of the Country"
- Thomas Jefferson (3rd President) - Shadwell, author of Declaration of Independence
- James Madison (4th President) - Port Conway, "Father of the Constitution"
- James Monroe (5th President) - Westmoreland County, Monroe Doctrine
- William Henry Harrison (9th President) - Charles City County
- John Tyler (10th President) - Charles City County
- Zachary Taylor (12th President) - Barboursville
- Woodrow Wilson (28th President) - Staunton, led US in WWI
Economy & Industry
Virginia has a strong, diversified economy with major sectors:
- Federal Government & Defense: Pentagon, CIA headquarters, military bases, defense contractors (Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics)
- Technology: Northern Virginia tech corridor, data centers, cybersecurity, Amazon HQ2 in Arlington
- Military & Shipbuilding: Naval Station Norfolk, Newport News Shipbuilding, largest concentration of military personnel in US
- Agriculture: Tobacco, poultry, cattle, soybeans, wine production (over 300 wineries)
- Port Operations: Port of Virginia is major East Coast port handling containerized cargo
- Tourism: Colonial Williamsburg, Monticello, Mount Vernon, Civil War battlefields, Shenandoah
- Finance: Capital One headquarters in McLean, banking, insurance
Colonial & Revolutionary History
Virginia was at the center of early American colonial and revolutionary history:
- Jamestown (1607): First permanent English settlement in North America, founded by Virginia Company
- Pocahontas: Daughter of Chief Powhatan, helped early colonists, married John Rolfe
- House of Burgesses (1619): First representative legislative assembly in British North America
- Colonial Capital: Williamsburg served as colonial capital 1699-1780, now living history museum
- Declaration of Independence: Thomas Jefferson authored the document at age 33
- Yorktown (1781): British surrender at Yorktown effectively ended Revolutionary War
- US Constitution: James Madison is "Father of the Constitution," George Mason authored Virginia Declaration of Rights
Interesting Facts
- Eight US presidents born in Virginia, more than any other state
- Pentagon is world's largest office building by floor area
- Virginia is for Lovers is official tourism slogan since 1969
- Shenandoah National Park features 105-mile Skyline Drive
- Smithfield is "Ham Capital of the World"
- Colonial Williamsburg is largest living history museum in US
- Mount Vernon was George Washington's plantation home
- Monticello was Thomas Jefferson's architectural masterpiece home
- Arlington National Cemetery honors fallen military members
- Over 300 wineries make Virginia major wine-producing state
- Chincoteague ponies are famous wild horses on barrier island
- Virginia has more county names than any other state (95 counties)
- Natural Bridge is 215-foot natural limestone arch
- First Thanksgiving in America celebrated at Berkeley Plantation (1619)
Neighboring States
Also borders: Atlantic Ocean & Chesapeake Bay (East), Washington DC (North)
Compare Virginia
See how Virginia compares to other states in population, economy, and more.
Compare Virginia