Virginia has a wide variety of scenic landforms, such as mountains, waterfalls, gorges, islands, water and wind gaps, caves, valleys, hills, and cliffs. These land- forms, some with interesting names such as Hanging Rock, Devils Backbone, Striped Rock, and Lovers Leap, range in elevation from Mt. What physical features are in West Virginia?
Allegheny (plural Alleghenies) (with "the") The Allegheny River in Pennsylvania. Allegheny Mountain (Pennsylvania), a major mountain ridge in the northern part of the Allegheny Mountains.
What are some West Virginia landforms?
Landforms within this rough country range from heavily forested gorges to sodden bogs. Spruce Knob. Anyone interested in West Virginia’s natural landscapes should make a pilgrimage to the crown of the state’s highest summit, 4,863-foot Spruce Knob. ... West Virginia includes some of the most extensive wetlands in the Appalachian Mountains ...
What are West Virginia's physical regions and landforms?
What Are West Virginia's Physical Regions and Landforms? Appalachian Mountains. Although not all of West Virginia is mountainous, it is the only state in America completely within the Appalachian chain. The Panhandles. West Virginia has two panhandles. ... New River -- Greenbrier Valley. ... Mid-Ohio Valley -- Allegheny Plateau. ...
What are the main land regions of West Virginia?
What are the main land regions of West Virginia? All of West Virginia is a part of the Appalachian Mountain system. It is commonly subdivided into two major physiographic regions: the Appalachian Plateau Province and the.
What landforms are formed from weathering?
- Canyons. Formed from weathering and erosion by water.
- U-Shaped Valleys. Formed from weathering and erosion by ice.
- Sandstone Arch. Formed from weathering and erosion by wind.
- Sea Arches and Stacks. Formed from weathering and erosion by water (waves).
- Delta.
- Moraine/glacial lake.
- Cave/Sink Hole.
What are the landforms found in West Virginia?
West Virginia's landscape is characterized into 3 major provinces: The Allegheny plateau in the west and north, the Allegheny Mountains, which run from the southwest through the northeast, and the Ridge and Valley province, east of the Allegheny Front (the continental divide) along West Virginia's eastern border with ...
What are Virginia's landforms?
To help understand this setting that has been critical to life in Virginia for thousands of years, geographers have identified five physical regions in the state: the Coastal Plain (Tidewater), Piedmont, Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, and Appalachian Plateau.
What is West Virginia's land like?
The land is rugged, ranging from hilly to mountainous, and there are no extensive expanses of level land. The state has two panhandles, one knifing northward between Pennsylvania and Ohio, the other eastward between Maryland and Virginia.
Does West Virginia have mountains or hills?
West Virginia contains over 1,000 named mountains and is almost entirely mountainous. In fact, more mountainous land exists per square mile in West Virginia than in any other state.
What are three major landforms in Virginia?
The Regions of VirginiaCOASTAL PLAIN (TIDEWATER) ... PIEDMONT. ... BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS. ... APPALACHIAN PLATEAU.
What is the nickname of West Virginia?
Mountain StateWest Virginia / Nickname
What's West Virginia known for?
Located in the Appalachian region, West Virginia has some of the most rugged land in the country. The state's rolling mountains, hills and valleys earned it the nickname of The Mountain State, and it is well-known for its range of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, skiing and whitewater rafting.
Is West Virginia rich or poor?
West Virginia is the fifth-poorest U.S. state, with a median household income of $51,615 and a poverty rate of 14.6%. West Virginians have the lowest level of higher education attainment in the nation, with only 23.1% of its residents holding a Bachelor's degree or higher.
Does West Virginia have flat land?
Most of the level land areas found in West Virginia are flat strips that lie along the major rivers. If you're traveling in this state and you're not traveling along a river, chances are you'll either be going uphill or you'll be going downhill.
Does West Virginia get snow?
West Virginia averages 33 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.
Is WV the most mountainous state?
States with the highest mountains — Alaska, California and Colorado — also contain extensive plains and relatively flat valleys. It turns out that West Virginia is the nation's most mountainous state, though its highest peak, Spruce Mountain, is only about 4,864 feet in height.
Are the Rocky Mountains in West Virginia?
Rocky Mountain is a peak of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. It is located about 2 miles (3.5 km) east of Irish Gap, on the border of Rockbridge County and Amherst County; it is the highest point of both counties.
What are the three major rivers in Virginia?
Roanoke River, James River, and New River are the three longest rivers in Virginia. The Potomac River flows into Chesapeake Bay and separates it from Maryland. Virginia is known for its scenic rivers, lakes, and coastline.
What are 5 interesting facts about Virginia?
10 Fun Facts About VirginiaThey Didn't Start Out Growing Tobacco. ... William & Mary Is The Second Oldest College In The Country. ... Virginia Gave Birth To West Virginia & Kentucky. ... Around Half Of The Civil War Was Fought In Virginia. ... The First Thanksgiving Was In Virginia.More items...
What are Virginia's major rivers?
Virginia has 4 major river systems that flow into the Chesapeake Bay and then toward the Atlantic Ocean. They are, from north to south: the Potomac-Shenandoah River system, the Rappahannock River, the York River, and the James River.
What are the 6 major sources of water in Virginia?
Virginia's water resources include groundwater, lakes, reservoirs, rivers, bays, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Where are the gorges in West Virginia?
One of the most significant is that of the New River, an ancient watercourse dramatically incised into layers of shale and sandstone; the gorge, in southern West Virginia , is better than 1,000 feet deep in places. You can marvel at the sheer cliffs and high ledges along the New River Gorge National River, a corridor managed by the National Park Service. Farther north, the Smoke Hole is another well-known West Virginia canyon, describing the rugged, 11-mile-long defile through which the South Fork of the Potomac River runs east of North Fork Mountain in the Monongahela National Forest’s Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. Yet another is Blackwater Canyon, downstream of the Canaan Valley; big Blackwater Falls, viewable in a state park, marks the Blackwater River’s exit of the valley and entrance into the canyon.
Where are the Seneca Rocks?
Perhaps most famous is 900-foot Seneca Rocks, a fierce cliff-face marking the Seneca Creek-North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River confluence. Popular with rock-climbers, Seneca Rocks is another highlight of the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, and lies in easy proximity to the Smoke Hole, Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley – a spectacular collection of terrain features.
Is West Virginia a mountain state?
West Virginia isn’t called the Mountain State for nothing. Some of the most eye-catching scenery in the eastern U.S. is found within the ragged borders of this Appalachian heartland. Most of the state belongs to a section of the Appalachian Mountains called the Appalachian Plateaus, and specifically to the Allegheny Mountains and Allegheny Plateau. The eastern edge of the Alleghenies is the Allegheny Front, a high escarpment separating the mountains from another distinct region eastward: the Valley-and-Ridge Province, named for its relentless folded terrain. Landforms within this rough country range from heavily forested gorges to sodden bogs.
What is West Virginia?
All of West Virginia is a part of the Appalachian Mountain system. It is commonly subdivided into two major physiographic regions: the Appalachian Plateau Province and the. Mid-Atlantic Ridge and Valley Province.
What is the name of the state that borders West Virginia?
West Virginia is bordered by Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland on the north and by Virginia on the south. On the east, the state borders Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, and on the west it is bordered by Ohio and Kentucky. West Virginia's nickname, the Mountain State, is well deserved.
What are the hills in Ohio?
Landforms within the Ohio Hills consist primarily of dissected, unglaciated plateaus ranging in elevation from 150 m to 450 m , with some valleys as low as 100 m and some mountainous areas reaching 1,100 m. A majority of the planning unit was dominated historically by oak-hickory forests; today these cover roughly 4.3 million ha (10.7 million ac), or 54% of the physiographic area. Numerous patches of northern hardwood forest occur on north-facing hillsides, particularly near the edges of the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia and Allegheny Plateau in Ohio. Historically, oak-hickory and oak-pine regeneration was dependent on fire, and recent policies of fires suppression in the southern Appalachians has had major (primarily negative) effects on native forest composition and structure. Human populations are relatively sparse through most the physiographic area and are largely confined to the larger valleys; Pittsburgh, PA and Morgantown, WV are the largest cities. Roughly 40% of the physiographic area is in agricultural production or urban development, mostly in the northern half. Timber extraction has been a major activity throughout the history of this region, and it continues to be important on both public (10% of area) and privately owned forest lands. Extraction of minerals, oil and gas, and coal are also important land uses throughout this region, with a new wave of mining underway in the form of highly destructive mountaintop removal.
What is the name of the mountain range in the eastern portion of the plateau?
The eastern portion of the plateau, with the highest mountains of the state, is referred to as the Allegheny Mountain section .
What is the highest point in West Virginia?
The highest point in West Virginia is Spruce Knob at 4,861 feet above sea level and the lowest point is the Potomac River at 240 feet above sea level. The state's nickname is the Mountain State, and West Virginia features some of the most rugged land in the United States.
How high is Spruce Knob in West Virginia?
Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia, rises 4,861 feet above sea level in the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region.
Where is the Mid Atlantic Ridge?
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge and Valley extends from western Maryland, through the mountains of Virginia and eastern West Virginia. Most of this physiographic area consists of long mountainous ridges and intervening valleys, but it also includes the higher Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. Predominant vegetation consists of oak ...
What is the forestland of West Virginia?from traveltips.usatoday.com
Travel Tips. Because of its mountain terrain and low population, forestland covers more than three-fourths of West Virginia. The Mountain State's physical regions and landforms shape its appeal as a destination. West Virginia's rugged eastern peaks and steep valleys draw outdoor enthusiasts in search of the best recreational activities in ...
Where is the Panhandle of West Virginia?from traveltips.usatoday.com
West Virginia's eastern panhandle, bordered by the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, is only 100 miles from Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Weekenders visit "The Country's First Spa" in Berkeley Springs, hike the C&O Canal Towpath or study the Civil War at Harpers Ferry.
What is the difference between Charleston and Parkersburg?from traveltips.usatoday.com
Charleston offers a riverfront park , a huge facility housing a science museum and performing arts stages, a planetarium and a casino. Parkersburg, at the confluence of the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers, is the site of Fort Boreman Historical Park. The fort features reconstructed Civil War-era trenches and fortifications.
What is the state capital of West Virginia?from traveltips.usatoday.com
West Virginia's mountain terrain levels off as it reaches the Ohio River to the west. The forested Allegheny Plateau, site of Charleston, the state capital, features deep river valleys and razorback ridges. Charleston offers a riverfront park, a huge facility housing a science museum and performing arts stages, a planetarium and a casino.
What is the New River Gorge in West Virginia?from traveltips.usatoday.com
The New River winds 14 miles through the 1,000-foot-deep New River Gorge, dropping 240 feet in elevation and offering Class I to IV rapids.
Does West Virginia have a campground?from traveltips.usatoday.com
West Virginia has a wealth of state parks and a couple of national parks that offer tent camping. The advantage of public campgrounds for many campers is the absence of giant RVs with noisy engines, satellite television dishes and bright lights.
What are the two major physical regions of West Virginia?
Two major physical regions dominate the state: the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region in the east and the Allegheny Plateau in the center and west. West Virginia's borders are defined almost entirely by natural features—rivers and ridges—giving it one of the most irregular shapes of any state in the United States.
How tall is West Virginia?
Many of the mountains in West Virginia rise above 4,000 ft (1,200 m), with the average elevation of the entire state at 1,500 ft (450 m). The peaks of the Ridge and Valley Region are heavily forested and lie within some of the nation's largest protected forests, the Monongahela and the George Washington national forests.
What is the name of the river that flows westward to the Ohio River?
The Allegheny (or Appalachian) Plateau, which covers five-sixths of the state, was once relatively level but has been cut down through erosion over millions of years, creating flat-topped highlands and several deep and windy river gorges, most notably the New River (ironically one of the oldest rivers in the nation). Rivers in this region flow westward to the Ohio River: the New joins with the Kanawha to form the state's most important waterway.
Why was West Virginia created?
Formerly known as the Trans-Allegheny region of VIRGINIA, the new state of West Virginia was created in 1863 out of the northwestern counties of Virginia, both for reasons of both politics (prounion, antislavery), and of economics. Much of the population of western Virginia was oriented toward the development of the Ohio River valley and the wild west beyond, not toward the tobacco plantations of Virginia's Piedmont and Tidewater areas. The new state needed access to eastern commercial and port cities, however, so the counties now known as the Eastern Panhandle were added, providing an economic supply line via the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Through the succeeding century, West Virginia supplied the nation with much of its raw coal. This has been less in demand since the 1960s, seriously weakening the local economy, which had become almost entirely dependent on coal mining.
What is the highest point in the state of West Virginia?
It's highest point is Spruce Knob at 4,863 ft (1,483 m) and its primary natural resources are coal, natural gas, stone, salt, oil, and mineral springs. West Virginia (population 1,808,344) is known as the Mountain State for obvious reasons: unless you are traveling along a river valley, you are always traveling either up or down.
What was West Virginia's dependence on coal?
Through the succeeding century, West Virginia supplied the nation with much of its raw coal. This has been less in demand since the 1960s, seriously weakening the local economy, which had become almost entirely dependent on coal mining.
How many counties are there in West Virginia?
There are 55 counties in West Virginia. The population is relatively mixed, with predominantly African-American counties concentrated in the far south, while the Appalachian Highlands were first settled by Scots-Irish, reminded of the rolling blue-green mountains of the Scottish Highlands.
How many square miles are there in West Virginia?
Map of West Virginia counties. Located in the Appalachian Mountain range, West Virginia covers an area of 24,229.76 square miles (62,754.8 km 2 ), with 24,077.73 square miles (62,361.0 km 2) of land and 152.03 square miles (393.8 km 2) of water, making it the 41st-largest state in the United States.
What state is West Virginia?
West Virginia ( / vərˈdʒɪn.jə / ( listen)) is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered by Pennsylvania to the northeast, Maryland to the east and northeast, Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, and Ohio to the northwest. West Virginia is the 41st-largest state by area ...
How much money did the chemical spill in West Virginia cost?
According to Bloomberg News, lost wages, revenue, and other economic harm from the chemical spill could top $500 million. and West Virginia's Marshall University Center for Business and Economic Research estimated that about $61 million was lost by businesses in the first four days alone after the spill.
How much did West Virginia export in 2010?
While per capita income fell 2.6% nationally in 2009, West Virginia's grew at 1.8%. Through the first half of 2010, exports from West Virginia topped $3 billion, growing 39.5% over the same period from the previous year and ahead of the national average by 15.7%.
What were the social conditions in Virginia in 1838?
A slave wedding in Virginia, 1838. Social conditions in western Virginia were entirely unlike those in the eastern part. The population was not homogeneous, as a considerable part of the immigration came by way of Pennsylvania and included Germans, Protestant Scotch-Irish, and settlers from states farther north.
When was West Virginia considered a part of the British colony?
The Crown considered the area of West Virginia part of the British Virginia Colony from 1607 to 1776 . The United States considered this area the western part of the state of Virginia (commonly called Trans-Allegheny Virginia) from 1776 to 1863, before West Virginia's formation.
Where are the mounds in West Virginia?
Many ancient manmade earthen mounds from various prehistoric mound builder cultures survive in West Virginia, especially in the areas of present-day Moundsville, South Charleston, and Romney. Artifacts uncovered in these give evidence of village societies with a tribal trade system culture that crafted cold-worked copper pieces.
How high is West Virginia?
West Virginia justifies in every way its nickname, the Mountain State. With an average elevation of about 1,500 feet (460 metres) above sea level, it is the highest of any U.S. state east of the Mississippi River.
How high is the elevation of West Virginia?
The maximum elevation in West Virginia is 4,863 feet (1,482 metres) at Spruce Knob, in the east. The lowest point is 247 feet (75 metres) at Harpers Ferry, located on a steep tongue of land rising above the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. The land is rugged, ranging from hilly to mountainous, and there are no extensive expanses of level land. The state has two panhandles, one knifing northward between Pennsylvania and Ohio, the other eastward between Maryland and Virginia.
What is the drainage pattern of the Allegheny Front?
Drainage and soils. The drainage east of the Allegheny Front features a trellised pattern flowing toward the northeast and ultimately draining into the Potomac. The western portions drain across an inclined plane by a longer, dendritic drainage pattern that flows generally northwest into the Ohio River.
What are the two major physiographic regions of the Appalachian Plateau?
It is commonly subdivided into two major physiographic regions: the Appalachian Plateau Province and the Ridge and Valley Province . In general, these are separated by the Allegheny Front, dividing the waters that flow to the Atlantic Ocean from those flowing to the Gulf of Mexico.
What is the Appalachian Plateau?
It is a region severely dissected by streams into a maze of hills and valleys, and , in places, the original plateau surface shows as the uniform top levels of the remaining ranges.
How tall are the Allegheny Mountains?
The Allegheny Mountains include more than 40 peaks over 4,000 feet (1,200 metres) in elevation, inducing heavy precipitation in the area and making it the wettest in the state and the source of many of its rivers. The eastern edge of the state and the eastern panhandle comprise the Ridge and Valley Province.
What type of soil is found in West Virginia?
The weathered limestone soils of the east are suited for pasture and orchards. Some of the clay soils along the Ohio River are bases for the ceramics industry. In general, however, the high relief and deciduous forest of the Appalachian Plateau Province produce a thin, rocky , acidic soil not conducive to large-scale commercial farming.
What is the most significant mountain range in West Virginia?
The most significant range of West Virginia is the Allegheny Mountains, which extend from the southern part of the state into Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Where is West Virginia?
The State of West Virginia is located in the South Atlantic Region of the United States . West Virginia is landlocked and shares its land borders with 5 states. It is bordered by Virginia in the southeast; by Kentucky in the southwest; by Ohio in the northwest; by Pennsylvania in the northeast and by Maryland in the east and northeast.
What is the capital of West Virginia?
Located in the south-central part of the state, at the confluence of Elk and Kanawha Rivers in the Allegheny Mountains is Charleston – the capital, the largest and the most populous city of West Virginia. It serves as an administrative, cultural, economic, and industrial center for the state.
What is the largest limestone cave in West Virginia?
The Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia are also laced with miles of limestone caves, among which Organ Cave is the largest. Organ Cave , situated in Greenbrier County also serves as a National Natural Landmark. The most significant river of West Virginia is the Ohio River.
What is the highest point in West Virginia?
As marked by an upright yellow triangle, the state’s highest point is Spruce Knob – located in the eastern part of the state, which rises to an elevation of 4,863ft (1,482m).
What is the most important river in West Virginia?
The most significant river of West Virginia is the Ohio River. Along with its tributaries (Big Sandy River and Tug Fork), it forms the state's south-western border. Other rivers of note include the Potomac and its North and South branches, Guyandotte, Kanawha, Little Kanawha, Cacapon, Cheat, Greenbrier, and the New River.
How high is the Allegheny Plateau?
Elevations across the plateau vary greatly, but about 300ft above sea level is a good average.
Why is West Virginia called the Mountain State?
That is why it was given the nickname of the “Mountain State.”. The formation of West Virginia came about during the middle of the Civil War. Virginia had seceded from the Union, but there were several counties that did not support ...
What is the most modern city in West Virginia?
Charleston is the most modern city that you will find in West Virginia. It is the most populous place in the state, serving about 50,000 full-time residents. That makes it one of the two smallest state capitals in the country (the other is Carson City, NV).
What is the unemployment rate in West Virginia?
The current unemployment rate in the state hovers about three full percentage points above the national average. In March 2019, West Virginia had a 5.1% unemployment rate for the state. If you moved to Virginia, then the rate would be 2.9%.
What resources did West Virginia have after the reconstruction?
Besides coal mining, there are high-calcium seams of limestone and salt.
What are the challenges of West Virginia?
1. The job market in West Virginia can be somewhat challenging.#N#As the United States and the rest of the world begin to move away from coal energy, the job market in West Virginia has seen numerous adverse changes. The mining industries in the state were its most significant source of revenue for several decades. With the lack of demand for this natural resource, the jobs that come with it have been disappearing rapidly. The current unemployment rate in the state hovers about three full percentage points above the national average.
Why is the tax base lower in West Virginia?
Because the population centers are relatively small, the tax base for services is lower in West Virginia than in other parts of the country. The lower real estate costs can save you some money here too, but that also means there are fewer funds available for public services.
Can a cousin get married in West Virginia?
Cousins don’t get married in West Virginia either . It’s illegal to marry your first cousin in this state, but it is legal to do so in New York and California.
