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West Virginia

West Virginia
US State
NicknameMountain State
MottoMontani semper liberi (mountaineers are always free)
Official languagesnone (de facto English)
DemonymWest Virginian
CapitalCharleston
Largest citycapital
Largest metro areaCharleston metro area
Area
Area Ranked41st
Total24230 sq mi 62755 km2
Width130 mi 210 km
Length240 mi 385 km
% water0.6
Population
Pop. Rank37th
Total1,859,815 (2010 Census)
Density75.1 /sq mi 29.0 /km2
Median income$38,029 (48th)
Elevation
Highest pointSpruce Knob
4863 ft 1427 m
Mean1500 ft 460 m
Lowest pointHarpers Ferry
240 ft 73 m
Other information
Admission to UnionJune 20, 1863 (35)
GovernorEarl Ray Tomblin
Lieutenant GovernorVacant
LegislatureWest Virginia Legislature
Upper houseSenate
Lower houseHouse of Delegates
U.S. SenatorsJay Rockefeller (D)
Joe Manchin (D)
U.S. House delegation1: David McKinley (R)
2: Shelley Moore Capito (R)
3: Nick Rahall (D)
Timezone
Time zoneEastern: UTC-5/-4

West Virginia

US State
MottoMontani semper liberi (Latin, "Mountaineers are Always Free")
Area
Total24230 sq mi 62755 km2
Width130 mi 210 km
Length240 mi 385 km
Population
Density75.1 /sq mi 29.0 /km2
Median income$38,029 (48th)
Elevation
Highest pointSpruce Knob
4863 ft 1427 m
Mean1500 ft 460 m
Lowest pointHarpers Ferry
240 ft 73 m
Other information
Admission to UnionJune 20, 1863 (35)

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West Virginia c-enaudio=en-us-West Virginia.oggˌwɛst_vərˈdʒɪnjə is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east. The capital and largest city is Charleston.

West Virginia became a state following the Wheeling Conventions, breaking away from Virginia during the American Civil War. The new state was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863, and was a key Civil War border state. West Virginia was the only state to form by seceding from a Confederate state, and was one of only two states formed during the American Civil War (the other one being Nevada, which separated from Utah Territory).

The Census Bureau and the Association of American Geographers consider West Virginia part of the South. The northern panhandle extends adjacent to Pennsylvania and Ohio with the West Virginia cities of Wheeling and Weirton being just across the border from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, while Bluefield is less than 70 mi (112.7 km) from North Carolina and Harper's Ferry is considered to be a part of the Washington metropolitan area. The unique position of West Virginia means that it is often included in several geographical regions, including the Mid-Atlantic, the Upland South, and the Southeastern United States. Notably, it is the only state which entirely lies within the area served by the Appalachian Regional Commission, which is a common definition of "Appalachia".

The state is noted for its mountains and diverse topography, its historically significant logging and coal mining industries, and its political and labor history. It is one of the most densely karstic areas in the world, making it a choice area for recreational caving and scientific research. The karst lands contribute to much of the state's cool trout waters. It is also known for a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities, including skiing, whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and hunting.


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