100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
West Virginia (WV) is a mountainous state in the eastern United States with rich history and beautiful nature. You can admire it in New River Gorge National Park and in many state parks. The state’s economy is based on coal mining and agriculture, and the historical circumstances of the state’s founding are also noteworthy. In 1863 West Virginia separated from Virginia. The capital and largest city of West Virginia is Charleston.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name West Virginia Abbreviation WV Capital Charleston Largest city Charleston (Population: 46 838) Current time 17:48 Time zone EST (UTC-5), state observes Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) Population 1,793,713 (#39 most populous US state) Area 24,230 sqmi (#41 largest US state) Admitted to the Union June 20, 1863 (#35 state to join) ⭐ Capital of West Virginia
The capital of the state of West Virginia is Charleston. The city’s history began at the end of the 18th century after the American Revolutionary War, when pioneers started moving west from the original settlements in Virginia. The biggest credit for the founding of Charleston goes to brothers Thomas Bullitt and Cuthbert Cullitt, who in 1773 acquired 2 sqmi of land at the mouth of the Elk River. From the original fortified settlement, the town of Charleston was established in 1794, and in 1863 it became the state capital of West Virginia.
🏙️ Largest City in West Virginia
The largest city in West Virginia is Charleston, with a total of 46,838 residents in 2023. The second most populous city is Huntington with 45,325 people, and the third largest is Morgantown with 30,429 residents.
🕒 Time in West Virginia
The current time in West Virginia is 17:48. The entire state observes the Eastern Standard Time zone (EST, UTC-5), with daylight saving time in effect from March through November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of West Virginia
According to 2023 data, West Virginia had 1,793,713 residents, making it the 39th most populous U.S. state.
📍 Area of West Virginia
The total area of West Virginia is 24,230 sqmi, of which 24,078 sqmi is land and only 152 sqmi is water. West Virginia ranks as the 41st largest state in the U.S.
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Fun Facts About the State of West Virginia
🧩 Which States Border West Virginia
West Virginia borders five U.S. states. To the northwest is Ohio, to the north Pennsylvania, to the east Maryland, to the south Virginia, and to the southwest it shares a border with Kentucky.
📅 Date of West Virginia Statehood
West Virginia was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863 as the 35th state, when it separated from Virginia.
📛 West Virginia State Nickname
The nickname “The Mountain State” refers to the mountainous landscape and the Appalachian Mountains, which have a major influence on the geography of West Virginia. For centuries the mountains have provided timber, which helped drive the state’s economic development.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in West Virginia
The highest mountain in West Virginia is Spruce Knob at 4,862 ft, located in the Allegheny Mountains in the eastern part of the state.
🏞️ Rivers in West Virginia
The longest river in West Virginia is the Ohio River with a total length across all states of 981 mi. It is followed by the New River (317 mi), the Potomac River (302 mi), the Greenbrier River (173 mi), and the Elk River (172 mi).
🎓 Universities in West Virginia
Around 89,000 students study at American Military University and American Public University combined, the vast majority of them online. Both schools are operated by a private company, and the campuses are located in the city of Charles Town.
The largest public university in the state is West Virginia University, founded in 1867 in Morgantown and now attended by about 24,000 students.
Another major university with 11,000 students is Marshall University, founded in 1837 with a campus in Huntington.
✉️ ZIP Codes in West Virginia
West Virginia has ZIP code ranges 247xx to 268xx. You can look them up by address on the USPS website. Learn more about how the system works in the article on ZIP codes in the USA.
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Weather in West Virginia
The best time to visit West Virginia is September and October, when temperatures are still pleasant and the landscape turns to fall colors.
Spring in West Virginia brings awakening nature and a gradual rise in temperatures. While in March temperatures still hover around 36 °F to 55 °F, by May they often reach a comfortable 54 °F to 75 °F. Temperature differences across the state are significant. Snow cover in the Appalachian Mountains and other higher elevations can linger until April. Rain is common in spring.
Summer in West Virginia is humid and warm, with temperatures from June through September usually between 63 °F and 84 °F. In lowlands and valleys they can be a few degrees higher, while the Appalachian Mountains are cooler, which makes them a great escape from the heat. Rainy days are frequent in summer, and strong thunderstorms with flash flooding can occur.
Fall in West Virginia is marked by a mild cool-down. From September’s 57 °F to 79 °F, temperatures drop to a still tolerable 37 °F to 57 °F in November. There are fewer rainy days than in spring or summer, yet strong winds and sudden temperature drops are possible. Weather can be especially changeable in the Appalachian Mountains.
Winter in West Virginia is cold. In Charleston, temperatures usually range between 27 °F and 46 °F, while at higher elevations they can drop to around 14 °F. Snow is common in the mountains, whereas lower elevations see more rain than snow.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in West Virginia
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What to See in West Virginia
1️⃣ New River Gorge National Park
New River Gorge is one of the youngest U.S. national parks, designated only in 2020. The park stretches along the New River, which, paradoxically from a geological perspective, is among the oldest rivers on Earth.
The national park offers great conditions for rafting and kayaking, and its steep rock walls make it popular with climbers. One of the park’s icons is the New River Gorge Bridge, which at 1,700 ft ranks among the longest single-arch bridges in the world.
2️⃣ Blackwater Falls State Park
Blackwater Falls State Park gets its name from the unusually dark waterfalls, which take their color from the tannins of the surrounding conifers. The main waterfall is 62.0 ft high and is one of the most photographed landmarks in West Virginia. Several hiking trails with overlooks run through the park, and cross-country skiing is popular in winter.
3️⃣ Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Harpers Ferry is a historic town at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers northwest of Washington, D.C. It entered the history books on October 16, 1859, when John Brown led a raid on the federal armory stored in Harpers Ferry. Brown hoped to arm enslaved people and spark an uprising against slaveholders.
The event significantly contributed to the subsequent outbreak of the American Civil War. Visitors can tour preserved historic buildings, museums, and Civil War exhibits. The area is popular with hikers, since the Appalachian Trail runs through it.
4️⃣ Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
The Beckley coal mine offers a glimpse into the region’s mining history. Visitors can ride a mine train underground and hear from former miners about what work in a coal mine entailed. The site includes a replica mining village with historic buildings and a museum.
5️⃣ Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
The main attraction of Cass Scenic Railroad State Park near the Virginia border is a steam train ride along a historic early 20th century railway. Visitors can soak up an authentic atmosphere of bygone days and learn more about the region’s logging history.
The route runs through picturesque mountain scenery to Bald Knob, the state’s second highest peak at 4,843 ft. You can stay overnight in restored company houses that once housed railroad workers.
6️⃣ Greenbrier Bunker
The Greenbrier is a luxury resort near the Virginia border that is not all that interesting on its own. The real attraction lies beneath it, a formerly secret bunker built in the 1950s in case of nuclear war. The bunker was intended to serve as a backup site for the United States Congress.
Today visitors can explore it on guided tours, including the conference rooms, living quarters, and the bunker’s technical facilities.
7️⃣ West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston
The State Capitol in Charleston is one of the state’s most important buildings. Its dominant feature is a golden dome, whose height of 292.0 ft exceeds that of the U.S. Capitol in Washington with a dome height of 287.0 ft. The neoclassical building was completed in 1932 from plans by architect Cass Gilbert. Visitors can take free guided tours of the interiors, and the grounds around it include a pleasant park with views of the Kanawha River.
8️⃣ Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort
Snowshoe Mountain is the largest ski resort in the state, offering more than 60 runs of varying difficulty. The ski area lies in the Allegheny Mountains, which provide excellent snow conditions. In summer the area is popular for mountain biking, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
9️⃣ Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park
This state park is the site of one of the first Civil War battles in West Virginia, fought on September 10, 1861. Visitors can walk interpretive trails, tour the battlefield, and view exhibits in the visitor center. The park also offers picnic areas and overlooks of the Gauley River. Historic reenactments and living history events are held here regularly.
🔟 Berkeley Springs State Park
Berkeley Springs State Park is known for its thermal mineral springs, visited since the time of George Washington. Visitors can enjoy spa treatments, massages, and soaking in mineral water. The park sits right in the town of Berkeley Springs, which has several art galleries, shops, and restaurants.
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Largest Cities in West Virginia
The table shows the ten largest cities in the state of West Virginia in 2023. The source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary task is the national census.
City County Population 1 Charleston Kanawha 46,838 Map of Charleston 2 Huntington Cabell, Wayne 45,325 Map of Huntington 3 Morgantown Monongalia 30,429 Map of Morgantown 4 Parkersburg Wood 29,025 Map of Parkersburg 5 Wheeling Ohio, Marshall 26,208 Map of Wheeling 6 Martinsburg Berkeley 18,935 Map of Martinsburg 7 Weirton Hancock, Brooke 18,386 Map of Weirton 8 Fairmont Marion 18,155 Map of Fairmont 9 Beckley Raleigh 16,576 Map of Beckley 10 Clarksburg Harrison 15,489 Map of Clarksburg -
Sports Teams in West Virginia
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
There is no team in West Virginia that plays in the NHL.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
No team from West Virginia plays in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
West Virginia has no representation in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no MLB team from West Virginia.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
There is no team from West Virginia in Major League Soccer.
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West Virginia State Symbols
The state of West Virginia has a number of symbols, some of which are listed here.
Flag of West Virginia
West Virginia adopted its flag on March 7, 1929. The main motif is the state coat of arms in the center of a white field, which represents purity and peace. The coat of arms on the flag is surrounded by the rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum), above which is a red ribbon with the name of the state. A blue border edges the flag, symbolizing loyalty and fidelity.
Seal of West Virginia
The Great Seal of West Virginia was approved in September 1863, with the primary function of certifying the authenticity of government documents. The main motifs are a farmer and a miner, representing the state’s two major industries. In the center of the seal is a brown rock engraved with the date June 20, 1863, commemorating the day West Virginia joined the Union.
State Rock
West Virginia’s state rock since 2009 has been bituminous coal, whose rich deposits are found especially in the Appalachian region. Mining has played an important role in the state’s economy since the early 19th century, and West Virginia ranked among the leading coal producers in the United States.
State Animal
The black bear (also known as the American black bear, Ursus americanus) officially became a symbol of West Virginia in 1973. The animal lives in the state’s forests and was chosen as a symbol of courage, strength, and endurance.
State Fruit
In 1972 the apple was designated West Virginia’s state fruit. A new law in 1995 specified the variety as Golden Delicious. This variety originated in 1905 in Clay County, where it was first cultivated by Anderson Mullins.
State Flower
Based on a vote by public school students and the governor’s recommendation, West Virginia’s state flower became the rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum). The flower has spread throughout the state and most often grows in wooded areas.
State Colors
West Virginia’s official colors, adopted by law on March 8, 1963, are old gold and blue. Old gold represents the state’s wealth and natural resources, especially its abundant coal and other minerals. Blue symbolizes loyalty and constancy. Both colors appear on the state flag and are also used by West Virginia University.
State Bird
West Virginia’s state bird (as in many other states) has been the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) since 1949. Male cardinals stand out with vivid red plumage, while females are brown to olive green. You can spot the cardinal throughout West Virginia.
State Tree
In 1949 the sugar maple (Acer saccharum) was added to the list of state symbols. It is used to produce maple syrup, and its wood is prized by furniture makers for its strength and beauty.
State Fish
The brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) is native to West Virginia’s waterways. It was designated the state fish in 1973.
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