100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Virginia (VA) lies on the East Coast, the state has a rich colonial past and played a key role in the formation of the United States. Virginia’s economy relies on the technology sector and a strong military presence, complemented by agriculture. Top attractions include Shenandoah National Park and Arlington National Cemetery. The capital of Virginia is Richmond, although the most populous city is Virginia Beach.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Virginia Abbreviation VA Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach (Population: 453 649) Current time 12:44 Time zone EST (UTC-5), the state observes Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) Population 8,631,373 (#12 most populous US state) Area 110,786 km² (#35 largest US state) Admitted to the Union June 25, 1788 (#10 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Virginia
The capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia is Richmond, which was founded in an already settled area in 1742 by planter William Byrd II. Five years earlier he had commissioned civil engineer William Mayo to lay out the town plan.
The name was chosen after the then town of Richmond in England, today a district of London. Richmond became the capital of Virginia on April 18, 1780, replacing Williamsburg.
🏙️ Largest City in Virginia
The largest city in Virginia is Virginia Beach, with a population of 453,649 in 2023. The second most populous city is Chesapeake with 253,886 residents, and third is Norfolk with 230,930 residents.
🕒 Time in Virginia
The current time in Virginia is 12:44. From November through March the entire state observes eastern standard time (EST, UTC-5), and from March through November it switches to daylight time EDT (UTC-4).
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Virginia
In 2023 Virginia had 8,631,373 residents, which ranked it 12th among the most populous U.S. states.
📍 Area of Virginia
Virginia’s total area is 110,786 km², of which 102,549 km² is land and 8,237 km² is water. Virginia is the 35th largest state in the USA.
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Fun Facts About Virginia
🧩 Which States Border Virginia
Virginia borders five U.S. states and Washington, D.C. To the west is Kentucky, to the northwest West Virginia, to the northeast Maryland, and to the southeast North Carolina and Tennessee. In addition, it has a 180.25 km long coastline on the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
📅 Date of Virginia Statehood
Virginia ratified its admission to the Union on June 25, 1788 as the 10th state, succeeding the Colony of Virginia.
📛 Virginia State Nickname
Virginia became the first permanent English colony in the New World in 1607, and for its loyalty and fidelity it earned the title “The Old Dominion” from King Charles II. The term “Dominion” has no direct translation, it refers to territory under the sovereign possession of England.
The second nickname, “The Mother of Presidents,” points to the fact that eight different U.S. presidents came from Virginia, more than from any other U.S. state.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Virginia
The highest mountain in Virginia is Mount Rogers at 1,746.20 m, located in the south of the state near the North Carolina and Tennessee borders, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
🏞️ Rivers in Virginia
The longest river in Virginia is the Roanoke River, with a total length across all states of 660 km. It is followed by the James River (560 km), the New River (510 km), the Potomac River (486 km) and the Clinch River (480 km).
🎓 Universities in Virginia
The largest university in Virginia is Liberty University, founded in 1971 in Lynchburg and now serving around 79,000 students.
The second largest is George Mason University in Fairfax with roughly 37,000 students. Third is the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, founded in 1872, with about 35,000 students in Blacksburg.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Virginia
ZIP codes in Virginia fall within ranges 201xx and 220xx–246xx, and you can search by address on the USPS website. Learn more about how the system works in the article ZIP Codes in the USA.
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Weather in Virginia
The best time to visit Virginia is early fall, when the foliage turns vivid colors and the weather tends to stay pleasant.
Spring in Virginia is mild, with temperatures rising from March averages of 6 °C to 13 °C up to May averages of 16 °C to 22 °C. Frequent, heavy rain is typical in spring.
Summer in Virginia is warm and humid, with highs around 24 °C to 30 °C from June through early September. Humidity makes it feel hotter, and afternoon and evening thunderstorms are common.
Fall in Virginia is mild and drier compared with the preceding months. September and October temperatures range from 17 °C to 24 °C, which makes for great conditions for hiking and other outdoor activities.
Winter in Virginia is moderate, with temperatures usually above freezing. Around Virginia Beach, typical values sit between 3 °C and 9 °C, and snow showers are rare in these lower elevations. Snow is more common in the mountains of western Virginia.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Virginia
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What to See in Virginia
1️⃣ Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park lies in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northern part of the state. Its main attraction is the 169.8 km Skyline Drive, dotted with overlooks that deliver sweeping panoramic views.
Hikers can take advantage of 830.42 km of trails, including a stretch of the popular Appalachian Trail that runs from Georgia all the way to Maine. The best time to visit Shenandoah National Park is from September to November and from March to May.
2️⃣ Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is a city on the Atlantic coast known for its sandy beaches and a 4.8 km boardwalk lined with hotels and restaurants. The area is popular for swimming, surfing, kayaking and other water sports. Festivals, concerts and other cultural events are held regularly on the boardwalk, which adds to Virginia Beach’s lively atmosphere.
3️⃣ Arlington National Cemetery
The most famous and largest military cemetery in the United States was established during the American Civil War, and since then more than 400,000 fallen service members and other notable figures have been buried here. Among the most well known are former U.S. presidents John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft, and soldier William Henry Christman, who on May 13, 1864 became the very first person interred at Arlington.
Visitors can watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or see the Eternal Flame at President Kennedy’s grave.
4️⃣ Colonial Williamsburg Open-Air Museum
Colonial Williamsburg is an open-air museum in the eastern part of the state that offers an authentic window into life in colonial America during the 18th century. Costumed interpreters demonstrate period crafts and daily activities.
Visitors can tour preserved historic homes, shops and government buildings that were restored in the early 1930s.
5️⃣ Busch Gardens Theme Park
Busch Gardens is a theme park in Williamsburg in eastern Virginia, designed to evoke different European countries. The park features more than fifty attractions, including ten adrenaline-pumping roller coasters. There is plenty for kids and for visitors who prefer gentler rides, which makes it an ideal full day out for families.
6️⃣ Virginia Creeper Trail
The Virginia Creeper Trail is a 55.2 km multiuse path in southwest Virginia that was built on the old railroad bed constructed at the end of the 19th century. It connects the towns of Abingdon and Whitetop, and in places crosses wooden bridges and trestles. You can walk it, bike it or ride it on horseback, with lovely views of the countryside near Mount Rogers.
7️⃣ First Landing State Park
First Landing State Park sits near the spot where English colonists from the ship Susan Constant led by Captain Christopher Newport first came ashore on April 26, 1607. The park is near Virginia Beach and offers about 30.6 km of hiking and biking trails that run through forests, salt marshes and cypress swamps.
8️⃣ Mount Vernon Plantation Residence
Mount Vernon was the plantation home of the first U.S. president, George Washington, whose family purchased the surrounding land in 1674. The Palladian-style house with elements of the English Georgian style lies south of Washington, D.C. Today it serves as a museum that offers a detailed look at plantation life in the 18th century.
Visitors can tour the historic mansion, outbuildings, gardens and the tomb of George and Martha Washington.
9️⃣ Luray Caverns
Luray Caverns in northern Virginia form the largest cave system on the East Coast of the United States. Visitors can admire unique stalactite and stalagmite formations, and especially the Great Stalacpipe Organ, the largest musical instrument in the world.
The cave organ has stood in the park since 1957 and can play pieces such as Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. Visitors can explore the illuminated caverns along paved walkways either on their own or on a guided tour.
🔟 Natural Bridge State Park
The main draw of this state park is a 65.5 m natural limestone arch draped in greenery. Notably, the land under the arch was purchased in 1774 from Britain’s King George III by future U.S. president Thomas Jefferson. Visitors can walk the 3.5 km Cedar Creek Trail, which passes beneath the bridge and continues to Lace Falls.
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Largest Cities in Virginia
The table lists the ten largest cities in the state of Virginia in 2023. The data source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary task is the national census.
City County Population 1 Virginia Beach – 453,649 Map of Virginia Beach 2 Chesapeake – 253,886 Map of Chesapeake 3 Norfolk – 230,930 Map of Norfolk 4 Richmond – 229,247 Map of Richmond 5 Newport News – 183,118 Map of Newport News 6 Alexandria – 155,230 Map of Alexandria 7 Hampton – 137,098 Map of Hampton 8 Suffolk – 100,659 Map of Suffolk 9 Roanoke – 97,171 Map of Roanoke 10 Portsmouth – 96,793 Map of Portsmouth -
Sports Teams in Virginia
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
There is no NHL team from Virginia.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
Virginia has no representation in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
No team from Virginia plays in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no MLB team from Virginia.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
There is no team in Virginia that plays in MLS.
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Virginia State Symbols
Most symbols are officially approved by the Virginia General Assembly in the form of law and signed by the governor. This article lists only some of the symbols.
State Flag of Virginia
Virginia has a conventional state flag by U.S. standards, featuring the state seal on a dark blue field. The state flag was adopted on March 28, 1912, and was not officially codified until February 1950.
State Seal of Virginia
Like the flag, the state seal was first described in law on February 1, 1950. Its first version, however, began to be used in 1776 after independence from Great Britain was declared.
On the obverse of the seal stands the figure of Virtue, symbolizing courage and victory, as she stands over a vanquished tyrant. This represents triumph over oppression and tyranny. She holds a spear in one hand and a sword in the other, and beneath her is the Latin motto “Sic Semper Tyrannis,” which translates as “Thus Always to Tyrants.” The obverse is the official side used to authenticate documents issued by the government.
State Motto
The official state motto since 1776 is the Latin “Sic semper tyrannis,” which translates as “thus always to tyrants.” The motto refers to gaining independence from Great Britain and states that tyrannical leaders will inevitably be overthrown.
State Flower
In 1918 the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) became an official symbol. It is native to Virginia and occurs widely along the entire East Coast. Dogwood blossoms are white or pink.
State Tree
In February 1956 an unusual move made the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) the official state tree as well. The flowering dogwood is a small deciduous tree that grows up to 10 m tall and, when mature, is often wider than it is tall.
State Traditional Song
The official folk song of the state is Our Great Virginia, which became law on July 1, 2015. The lyrics were written by author Mike Greenly, and the music, adapted from the traditional American song Oh Shenandoah, was arranged by Jim Papoulis.
State Freshwater Fish
Since 1993 the official freshwater fish of Virginia has been the brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), a native species that typically inhabits clean mountain streams and lakes.
State Bird
The symbol of Virginia since 1950 has been the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), which is also the official bird of several other states. The northern cardinal is among the most widespread bird species in Virginia and typically measures 21 cm to 23 cm in length. Males are bright red, while females are brown with an olive tint.
State Fossil
In 1993 the state fossil became the scallop Chesapecten jeffersonius, which lived four to five million years ago on Virginia’s coast. The fossil commonly occurs along major rivers on the Atlantic Coastal Plain.
State Insect
The Appalachian swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) was added to Virginia’s symbols in 1991. This butterfly is found across the state and is popular for its striking black and yellow coloration.
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