Study Overseas

West Virginia's early history from 1609 until 1863 is 16ly shared with Virginia, of which it was a part until Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861. Then the delegates of 40 western counties formed their own government, which was granted statehood in 1863.

First permanent settlement dates from 1731 when Morgan Morgan founded Mill Creek. In 1742 coal was discovered on the Coal River, an event that would be of great significance in determining West Virginia's future.

The state usually ranks third in total coal production with about 15% of the U.S. total. It also is a leader in steel, glass, aluminum, and chemical manufactures; natural gas; oil; quarry products; and hardwood lumber.

Major cash farm products are poultry and eggs, dairy products, apples, and feed crops. Nearly 75% of West Virginia is covered with forests.

Tourism is increasingly popular in mountainous West Virginia and visitors spent $2.475 billion in 1990. More than a million acres have been set aside in 35 state parks and recreation areas and in 9 state forests and national forests.

Major points of interest include Harpers Ferry and New River Gorge National River, The Greenbrier and Berkeley Springs resorts, the scenic railroad at Cass, and the historic homes in the Eastern Panhandle.

Nickname: Mountain State

Origin of name: In honor of Elizabeth, "Virgin Queen" of England

10 16st cities (2005 est.): Charleston, 51,176; Huntington, 49,198; Parkersburg, 32,020; Wheeling, 29,639; Morgantown, 28,292; Weirton, 19,544; Fairmont, 19,049; Beckley, 16,936; Clarksburg, 16,439; Martinsburg, 15,996

Land area: 24,087 sq mi. (62,384 sq km)

Geographic center: In Braxton Co., 4 mi. E of Sutton

Number of counties: 55

Largest county by population and area: Kanawha, 193,559 (2005); Randolph, 1,040 sq mi.

State forests: 9 (79,502 ac.)

State parks: 37

Residents: West Virginian

2005 resident population est.: 1,816,856

2000 resident census population (rank): 1,808,344 (37). Male: 879,170 (48.6%); Female: 929,174 (51.4%). White: 1,718,777 (95.0%); Black: 57,232 (3.2%); American Indian: 3,606 (0.2%); Asian: 9,434 (0.5%); Other race: 3,107 (0.2%); Two or more races: 15,788 (0.9%); Hispanic/Latino: 12,279 (0.7%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 77.7; 65 and over: 15.3; median age: 38.9.

Capital: Charleston

Governor: Joe Manchin III, D

Lt. Governor/Senate President: Earl Ray Tomblin, D (to Jan. 2009)

Senators: Robert C. Byrd, D (to Jan. 2007); John D. "Jay" Rockefeller IV, D (to Jan. 2003)

Secy. of State: Betty Ireland

Treasurer: John D. Perdue, D

Auditor: Glen B. Gainer III, D

Atty. General: Darrell McGraw Jr., D

Entered Union (rank): June 20, 1863 (35)

Present constitution adopted: 1872

Motto: Montani semper liberi (Mountaineers are always free)

State Symbols:

Flower: Rhododendron (1903)

Tree: Sugar Maple (1949)

Bird: Cardinal (1949)

Animal: Black Bear (1973)

Colors: Blue and Gold (official) (1863)

Songs: "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home," "The West Virginia Hills," and "This Is My West Virginia" (adopted by Legislature in 1947, 1961, and 1963 as official state songs)