West Virginia

Basic Information

West Virginia, located in the Appalachian region of the Southern United States, is known for its mountainous terrain, coal mining heritage, and rural character. It is the only state formed by seceding from a Confederate state during the Civil War.

Capital

• Charleston

Largest City

• Charleston

Area

• 24,230 sq mi

Population

• 1.8 million (2020)

Demographics

West Virginia has one of the most homogeneous populations in the United States and is experiencing population decline in many areas due to economic challenges.

Ethnic Composition

• White:93.5%
• African American:3.6%
• Hispanic:1.7%
• Asian:0.8%
• Other:0.4%

Languages

• English:97.3%
• Spanish:0.7%
• Other Indo-European:0.9%
• Asian and Pacific Islander:0.6%
• Other Languages:0.5%

Age Distribution

• Under 18:20.1%
• 18-64:59.2%
• 65+:20.7%

Population Growth

• Annual Rate:-0.7%
• Natural Decrease:Negative (deaths exceed births)
• Migration:Net negative (outmigration)

Economy

West Virginia's economy has historically been based on natural resource extraction, particularly coal mining, but is diversifying into other sectors including tourism, healthcare, and energy.

GDP

• $85 billion (2022)

Major Industries

• Energy (Coal, Natural Gas)
• Healthcare
• Tourism
• Chemicals and Polymers
• Aerospace and Defense
• Forestry and Wood Products
• Manufacturing

Employment Rate

• Employed:95.5%
• Unemployment:4.5%

Major Companies

• West Virginia University Medicine
• WVU Health System
• Kroger
• Mylan Pharmaceuticals
• Toyota Motor Manufacturing
• Procter & Gamble
• Northrop Grumman

Climate

West Virginia has a humid subtropical climate in the lower elevations and a humid continental climate in the higher elevations, with four distinct seasons.

Mountain Regions

• Avg. Summer:75-80°F
• Avg. Winter:25-30°F
• Rainfall:55-60 inches/year
• Snowfall:50-180 inches/year (elevation dependent)

Lower Elevations

• Avg. Summer:80-85°F
• Avg. Winter:30-35°F
• Rainfall:40-45 inches/year
• Snowfall:20-40 inches/year

Eastern Panhandle

• Avg. Summer:80-85°F
• Avg. Winter:30-35°F
• Rainfall:36-40 inches/year
• Snowfall:25-35 inches/year

Weather Patterns

• Four distinct seasons
• Spring flooding in valleys
• Summer thunderstorms
• Fall foliage season (peak in October)
• Winter snow, particularly in highlands

Visiting West Virginia

West Virginia offers visitors spectacular mountain scenery, outdoor recreation opportunities, historical sites, and small-town Appalachian culture.

Best Time to Visit

• Spring:April-May (wildflowers, rafting season begins)
• Summer:June-August (outdoor activities, festivals)
• Fall:September-October (fall foliage, pleasant weather)
• Winter:December-February (skiing in mountain resorts)

Transportation

• Major Highways:Interstate 64, Interstate 77, Interstate 79, Interstate 68, Interstate 70
• Airports:Yeager Airport (Charleston), North Central West Virginia Airport (Bridgeport), Tri-State Airport (Huntington)
• Rail:Amtrak Cardinal Line (three times weekly)
• Public Transportation:Limited to urban areas
• Car:Recommended for exploring most areas

Accommodation

• State Park Lodges:9 parks with lodge facilities
• Resorts:Snowshoe Mountain, The Greenbrier, Canaan Valley
• Hotels:Major chains in larger cities
• Bed & Breakfasts:Throughout the state, especially in historic towns
• Cabins:Available in state parks and private rental
• Campgrounds:State parks, national forests, private facilities

Tourist Information

• Welcome Centers:Located along major highways
• Tourism Website:WV Tourism
• Visitor Centers:State parks and major attractions
• State Tourism Office:West Virginia Division of Tourism

Popular Attractions

West Virginia features diverse attractions from natural wonders to historic sites, cultural experiences, and outdoor recreation areas.

Natural Attractions

• New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
• Blackwater Falls State Park
• Seneca Rocks
• Dolly Sods Wilderness
• Monongahela National Forest
• Canaan Valley
• Spruce Knob (highest point)
• Gauley River National Recreation Area

Historic Sites

• Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
• West Virginia State Capitol
• West Virginia Independence Hall
• Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
• Berkeley Springs State Park (historic spa)
• Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex
• Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park
• Pearl S. Buck Birthplace

Outdoor Recreation

• Whitewater Rafting (New and Gauley Rivers)
• Hiking Trails (Appalachian Trail, Allegheny Trail)
• Ski Resorts (Snowshoe, Canaan Valley, Winterplace)
• Rock Climbing (Seneca Rocks, New River Gorge)
• Mountain Biking (Hatfield-McCoy Trails)
• Fishing (trout streams, bass lakes)
• Hunting (deer, turkey, bear)
• Caving (Organ Cave, Lost World Caverns)

Cultural Destinations

• The Greenbrier Resort
• Tamarack:The Best of West Virginia
• Mountain Stage Radio Show (Charleston)
• West Virginia State Museum
• Exhibition Coal Mine (Beckley)
• Huntington Museum of Art
• Augusta Heritage Center (Elkins)
• Contemporary American Theater Festival (Shepherdstown)

History

West Virginia's history is marked by its unique formation during the Civil War, rugged frontier past, industrial development around coal and railroads, and labor struggles.

Early History

• Indigenous Peoples:Adena, Hopewell cultures, later Shawnee, Cherokee
• European Settlement:Began 1730s
• Frontier Conflicts:Lord Dunmore's War, Native American resistance
• Early Industry:Salt production, timber
• Western Virginia:Part of Virginia Commonwealth

Civil War & Statehood

• Virginia Secession:1861
• Wheeling Conventions:Rejected secession
• Restored Government of Virginia:Loyal to Union
• Statehood Process:1861-1863
• Admitted to Union:June 20, 1863 (35th state)
• Border State Status:Split loyalties during Civil War

Industrial Development

• Coal Mining Expansion:1880s onward
• Railroad Development:Opened remote areas
• Timber Industry:Major deforestation period
• Chemical Industry:Developed along Kanawha River
• Glass Production:Significant industry
• Labor Struggles:Mine wars, union organizing

Modern Era

• Economic Challenges:Coal industry decline
• Environmental Issues:Mining impacts, water quality
• Population Loss:Rural outmigration
• Tourism Development:Growing economic sector
• Energy Transition:Natural gas growth
• Cultural Preservation:Appalachian heritage
• Economic Diversification Efforts

State Symbols

West Virginia has designated various official state symbols that represent its natural heritage and cultural identity.

State Animals

• State Animal:

  Black Bear
• State Bird:

  Cardinal
• State Butterfly:

  Monarch Butterfly
• State Fish:

  Brook Trout
• State Insect:

  Honey Bee
• State Reptile:

  Timber Rattlesnake

State Plants

• State Flower:

  Rhododendron
• State Tree:

  Sugar Maple
• State Fruit:

  Golden Delicious Apple
• State Grass:

  Eastern Hay-scented Fern
• State Wildflower:

  Great Rhododendron
• State Fungus:

  Morel Mushroom

Cultural Symbols

• State Flag:

  White with blue border, state coat of arms
• State Songs:

  "The West Virginia Hills," "This Is My West Virginia," "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home," "Take Me Home, Country Roads" (official state song)
• State Motto:

  "Montani Semper Liberi" (Mountaineers Are Always Free)
• State Colors:

  Old Gold and Blue
• State Instrument:

  Appalachian Dulcimer
• State Dance:

  Square Dance

Other Symbols

• State Gem:

  Fossil Coral
• State Rock:

  Bituminous Coal
• State Soil:

  Hillsides Soil
• State Fossil:

  Jefferson's Ground Sloth
• State Firearm:

  Hall Model 1819 Flintlock Rifle
• State Birthday Cake:

  Golden Delicious Apple Butter Cake

State Facts

West Virginia holds numerous distinctive records and facts that highlight its unique character and contributions.

Geographic Facts

• Highest Point:

  Spruce Knob (4,863 ft)
• Lowest Point:

  Potomac River at Harpers Ferry (247 ft)
• Only state entirely within Appalachian Mountain range
• Wettest location:

  Rainelle (over 60 inches annually)
• Most rugged topography east of Mississippi River
• Over 75% forested (third most in US)
• Bordered by 5 states (PA, MD, VA, KY, OH)
• Contains source of rivers flowing to Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico

Records & Rankings

• 38th Largest State by Area
• 39th Most Populous State
• Oldest Average Population in US
• Highest Percentage of Homeownership
• Leading Producer of Metallurgical Coal
• Among Most Biodiverse States in Eastern US
• Largest Producer of Carbon Fiber in World
• Home to World's Largest Steerable Radio Telescope (Green Bank)

Notable Firsts

• First State Created from Another State During Civil War
• First Brick Street in World (Charleston)
• First Federal Women's Prison (Alderson)
• First Municipal Parking Building (Welch)
• First State to Implement School Nutrition Program
• First Memorial Day Observance (Grafton)
• First State Gas Well (Burning Springs)
• First Golf Club in America (Oakhurst Links)

Unique Features

• World's Largest Alluvial Diamond (Punch Jones)
• Home to World's Second Largest Archway Bridge (New River Gorge Bridge)
• Only State Entirely Within Appalachia
• National Radio Quiet Zone (Green Bank area)
• World's Largest Block of Steel (Weirton)
• The Greenbrier Underground Bunker (former Congressional fallout shelter)
• Largest Sycamore Tree in World (Webster Springs)
• Birthplace of Mother's Day (Grafton)

Government & Politics

West Virginia operates under a state constitution with three branches of government and has undergone significant political shifts throughout its history.

Governor

• Jim Justice (as of 2023)

Legislature

• Bicameral:State Senate (34 members) and House of Delegates (100 members)

Political Trends

• Historically Democratic until early 2000s, now strongly Republican
• Conservative on social issues

Political Structure

• Executive Branch:Governor and constitutional officers
• Legislative Branch:Part-time citizen legislature
• Judicial Branch:Supreme Court of Appeals and lower courts
• Local Government:55 counties, municipalities
• Strong coal industry influence historically
• Union tradition in politics
• Direct initiative and referendum not available

Time Zones

West Virginia spans two time zones, with most of the state in the Eastern Time Zone.

Eastern Time

• Most of West Virginia (approximately 4/5 of the state)

Mountain Time

• Portion of the state's western panhandle (follows I-77/Ohio River)

Daylight Saving

• Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC -4)
• Mountain Daylight Time (MDT, UTC -5)

Time Zone Division

• Counties in Western Time Zone:Cabell, Wayne, Mingo, Lincoln (western portion)
• Some border communities observe neighboring state's time informally
• Time zone boundary generally follows natural features

Education

West Virginia's education system faces challenges related to rural isolation and economic constraints but has developed innovative programs to serve its population.

Higher Education

• Public Universities:West Virginia University, Marshall University, West Virginia State University, others
• Private Colleges:Wheeling University, University of Charleston, Davis & Elkins College, others
• Community Colleges:9 institutions across the state
• Technical Schools:Workforce development programs
• Promise Scholarship:Merit-based aid program
• WV Higher Education Policy Commission
• Research Institutions:National Research Center for Coal and Energy

K-12 Education

• Public School Districts:55 (one per county)
• Public Schools:Approximately 700 schools
• Private Schools:Religious and independent options
• Virtual Education:West Virginia Virtual School
• Technical Education:Career and Technical Centers
• Homeschooling:Growing community
• Achievement Challenges:Rural isolation factors

Educational Initiatives

• Universal Pre-K Program (statewide)
• Learn & Earn Programs (technical education)
• Communities In Schools Program
• Energy Express (summer reading)
• Computer Science Education Initiative
• Simulated Workplace Program
• Early College High Schools

Educational Challenges

• Rural School Sustainability
• Population Decline Affecting Enrollment
• Teacher Recruitment and Retention
• School Funding Equity
• Technology Access in Rural Areas
• College-Going Rate
• Workforce Alignment

Culture & Festivals

West Virginia's cultural identity is deeply rooted in Appalachian traditions, music, crafts, and a strong sense of community and heritage.

Major Festivals

• Mountain State Forest Festival (Elkins)
• West Virginia State Fair (Lewisburg)
• Strawberry Festival (Buckhannon)
• Bridge Day (Fayetteville)
• Augusta Heritage Festival (Elkins)
• West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival (Clarksburg)
• Vandalia Gathering (Charleston)
• FestivALL (Charleston)

Cultural Events

• Contemporary American Theater Festival (Shepherdstown)
• Celtic Festival (Lewisburg)
• Appalachian String Band Festival (Clifftop)
• Mountain Music Festival (New River Gorge)
• Upper Ohio Valley Italian Festival (Wheeling)
• Mountain State Art & Craft Fair (Ripley)
• Taste of Appalachia Folk Festival
• West Virginia Writers Workshop

Regional Traditions

• Quilting Bees and Craft Circles
• Apple Butter Making
• Ramp Dinners (spring wild leek harvest)
• Moonshine Distilling (now legalized)
• Storytelling Traditions
• Square Dancing and Flatfoot Dancing
• Hunting and Fishing Culture
• Coal Mining Heritage Celebrations

Arts & Heritage

• Old-Time Music Traditions
• Bluegrass Music Gatherings
• Mountain Stage Radio Show
• Traditional Crafts:Pottery, Glass, Quilting
• Literary Traditions (Pearl S. Buck, others)
• Folk Art Traditions
• Public Murals (especially in coal communities)
• Appalachian Foodways

Sports & Teams

West Virginia has passionate sports traditions centered around collegiate athletics, outdoor sports, and motorsports.

College Athletics

• West Virginia University Mountaineers
• Marshall University Thundering Herd
• West Virginia State Yellow Jackets
• Fairmont State Fighting Falcons
• Shepherd University Rams
• University of Charleston Golden Eagles
• WVU-Marshall Rivalry
• Historic Basketball Programs

Professional Teams

• West Virginia Black Bears (MLB Draft League)
• Wheeling Nailers (ECHL Hockey)
• West Virginia Roughriders (American Arena League)
• Charleston Dirty Birds (Atlantic League Baseball)
• Former Teams:West Virginia Power (Minor League Baseball)
• Connection to Pittsburgh Professional Teams
• Semi-pro Football Teams
• Youth Development Teams

Outdoor Sports

• Hunting (whitetail deer, turkey, bear)
• Fishing (trout, bass, musky)
• Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking
• Rock Climbing
• Mountain Biking (Hatfield-McCoy Trails)
• Hiking and Backpacking
• Winter Sports (skiing, snowboarding)
• Trail Running

Sporting Events & Venues

• Milan Puskar Stadium (Morgantown)
• WVU Coliseum
• Cam Henderson Center (Marshall)
• Canaan Valley Ski Resort
• Snowshoe Mountain Resort
• Summit Bechtel Reserve (Boy Scout Jamboree site)
• Bridge Day BASE Jumping Event
• PGA Greenbrier Classic (formerly)

Cuisine & Local Specialties

West Virginia cuisine reflects Appalachian food traditions with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients, preservation methods, and heritage recipes.

Traditional Dishes

• Pepperoni Rolls (state food)
• Buckwheat Cakes
• Soup Beans and Cornbread
• Ramps (wild leeks)
• Sausage Gravy and Biscuits
• Apple Butter
• Venison and Game Meats
• Fried Green Tomatoes

Regional Specialties

• Hot Bologna (Fairmont)
• Fish Sandwich (Wheeling)
• Slaw Dogs (various toppings by region)
• Strawberry Pie (Buckhannon)
• Salt Rising Bread
• Wild Paw Paw Fruit Dishes
• Hickory Nut Cake
• Molasses Stir-off Products

Beverages & Spirits

• Moonshine (now legal craft distilleries)
• Apple Cider
• Dandelion Wine
• Blackberry Wine
• Craft Beer (growing industry)
• Fruit Brandies
• Sassafras Tea
• Mountain State Brewing Company Products

Food Traditions & Events

• Molasses Making
• Church Suppers
• Bean Dinners
• Ramp Festivals (spring)
• Apple Butter Making (fall)
• Wild Game Dinners
• Community Canning Days
• Farmers Markets (growing trend)

Infrastructure

West Virginia's mountainous terrain creates unique infrastructure challenges, with transportation networks that follow river valleys and significant investment in energy infrastructure.

Transportation

• Highways:Interstates 64, 68, 70, 77, 79, 81, state routes
• Appalachian Corridor Highways
• Railways:CSX, Norfolk Southern freight lines
• Amtrak Passenger Service:Cardinal Route (three weekly)
• Airports:Yeager (Charleston), North Central WV, Tri-State (Huntington)
• River Transportation:Ohio River, Kanawha River
• Bridges:7,000+ (many aging)
• Mountain Transportation Challenges

Energy Systems

• Coal-Fired Power Plants
• Natural Gas Infrastructure
• Marcellus Shale Development
• Hydroelectric Facilities
• Wind Farms (primarily eastern mountains)
• Solar Installations (growing)
• Electrical Grid
• Pipeline Networks

Water Management

• Public Water Systems
• Rural Water Challenges
• Dams and Reservoirs
• Flood Control Systems
• Water Quality Management
• Watershed Protection
• Stormwater Management
• Mine-Related Water Issues

Communications

• Broadband Development Initiatives
• Rural Connectivity Challenges
• National Radio Quiet Zone (Green Bank area)
• Cell Service (limited in rural areas)
• Public Broadcasting Network
• Rural Broadband Expansion
• FirstNet Emergency Services Network
• Digital Divide Initiatives

Notable Historical Figures

West Virginia has been home to influential individuals who shaped state, national, and global history across many fields.

Political Leaders

• Senator Robert C. Byrd (longest-serving U.S. Senator)
• John W. Davis (presidential candidate)
• Arthur Boreman (first governor)
• Arch Moore (governor)
• Francis H. Pierpont ("Father of West Virginia")
• Senator Jennings Randolph (promoter of 26th Amendment)
• Ken Hechler (congressman, secretary of state)
• Cecil Underwood (youngest and oldest WV governor)

Military & Frontiersmen

• Stonewall Jackson (Confederate general)
• Chuck Yeager (first pilot to break sound barrier)
• Hershel "Woody" Williams (Medal of Honor recipient)
• Devil Anse Hatfield (Hatfield-McCoy feud)
• Belle Boyd (Civil War spy)
• Jessica Lynch (POW, Iraq War)
• Alexander Campbell (Civil War colonel)
• Albert Gallatin Jenkins (Confederate general)

Arts & Culture

• Pearl S. Buck (Nobel Prize-winning author)
• Booker T. Washington (educator)
• Don Knotts (actor)
• Brad Paisley (musician)
• Jennifer Garner (actress)
• Bill Withers (musician)
• Henry Louis Gates Jr. (scholar)
• Dwight Yoakam (musician)

Innovation & Industry

• Michael Owens (glass industry innovator)
• Johnson Camden (oil industry pioneer)
• Cyrus Vance (Secretary of State)
• John Nash (Nobel Prize-winning mathematician)
• Jon McBride (astronaut)
• John W. Hendrix (oil discovery)
• Homer Hickam (NASA engineer, author)
• Mary Lou Retton (Olympic gymnast)

State Government Services

West Virginia's state government provides various services to residents through different departments and agencies.

Health & Human Services

• Department of Health and Human Resources
• Bureau for Public Health
• Bureau for Behavioral Health
• Bureau for Medical Services (Medicaid)
• Bureau for Family Assistance
• Bureau of Senior Services
• Office of Drug Control Policy
• Children's Health Insurance Program

Economic & Workforce

• Department of Commerce
• Development Office
• WorkForce West Virginia
• Division of Labor
• Tourism Office
• Small Business Development Center
• Jobs Investment Trust
• Economic Development Authority

Public Safety & Transportation

• State Police
• Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation
• Department of Transportation
• Division of Motor Vehicles
• Division of Highways
• Public Service Commission
• Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training

Natural Resources & Environment

• Department of Environmental Protection
• Division of Natural Resources
• Division of Forestry
• Conservation Agency
• Public Energy Authority
• Water Development Authority
• Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund
• State Parks System

Key Historical Documents & Landmarks

West Virginia's rich history is preserved through significant documents and historic sites throughout the state.

Founding Documents

• West Virginia Constitution (1863, current version 1872)
• Wheeling Conventions Resolutions (1861)
• Statehood Proclamation (1863)
• Restored Government of Virginia Records
• Civil War Military Orders
• State Enabling Act (1862)
• Willey Amendment
• Early Coal and Railroad Charters

Historical Landmarks

• West Virginia Independence Hall (Wheeling)
• West Virginia State Capitol
• Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
• Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex
• The Greenbrier Resort and Bunker
• Blair Mountain Battlefield
• Cass Scenic Railroad
• Arthurdale New Deal Community

Archival Collections

• West Virginia State Archives
• West Virginia University West Virginia & Regional History Center
• Huntington Museum Culture and History Archives
• West Virginia Mine Wars Museum
• Pearl S. Buck Birthplace Collection
• West Virginia Geological Survey Archives
• Coal Mining Records and Photographs
• Railroad Historical Society Collections

Historic Districts

• Harpers Ferry Historic District
• Charleston East End Historic District
• Wheeling Historic District
• Lewisburg Historic District
• Bramwell Historic District (coal baron homes)
• Hinton Historic District
• Berkeley Springs Historic District
• Charles Town Historic District

Environmental Initiatives

West Virginia balances its traditional resource extraction economy with growing environmental programs focused on conservation, remediation, and sustainable development.

Conservation Programs

• State Wildlife Action Plan
• Forest Legacy Program
• Land and Water Conservation Fund Projects
• Stream Partners Program
• Wildlife Diversity Program
• Natural Heritage Program
• Conservation Easements
• Forever Wild Program

Land Restoration

• Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation
• Brownfields Redevelopment
• Watershed Restoration Projects
• Mine Drainage Treatment
• Reforestation Initiatives
• Stream Restoration
• Wetland Conservation
• Native Species Reintroduction

Sustainable Development

• Renewable Energy Projects
• Green Building Initiatives
• Sustainable Agriculture Programs
• Energy Efficiency Programs
• Clean Water Initiatives
• Waste Reduction Programs
• Environmental Education
• Green Tourism Development

Environmental Monitoring

• Air Quality Monitoring
• Water Quality Testing
• Wildlife Population Studies
• Climate Change Impact Assessment
• Forest Health Monitoring
• Invasive Species Control
• Environmental Impact Studies
• Citizen Science Programs