West Virginia
West Virginia Facts Maps
Photo: West Virginia
West Virginia's New River Gorge Bridge was the world's longest steel-arch bridge (Shanghai's Lupu Bridge took the title in 2003). It opens to pedestrians once each year on "Bridge Day."
Photograph by Susie Post Rust
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West Virginia Information and History

Bituminous coal, oil, natural gas, and silica underlie this rugged Appalachian state. Only Wyoming produces more coal. Declines in steel and chemical manufacturing prompted corporate tax incentives to diversify the economy; as a result the service sector is burgeoning. Hardwoods cover three-fourths of the state and feed lumber mills, but forests also shelter wildlife—including an endangered species of flying squirrel.

ECONOMY

Industry: coal mining, chemicals, metal manufacturing, forest products, stone, clay, oil, glass products.
Agriculture: poultry and eggs, cattle, dairy products, apples.

Text source: National Geographic Atlas of the World, Eighth Edition, 2004
West Virginia Flag and Fast Facts
Flag of West Virginia
Area
62,755 square kilometers
(24,230 square miles)
Population
1,810,354
Capital
Charleston; 51,702
Per Capita Income
U.S. $23,628
Date Statehood Achieved
June 20, 1863
West Virginia Features
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Find out how local communities are trying to stay safe when mining companies take the tops off the mountains.
Photo: Fort Sumter
Journey to the battlefields of a war that pitted brother against brother and nearly tore this new nation apart. Experience the U.S. Civil War in this collection of photos.
Map: West Virginia
State: West Virginia
Country: United States
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