Virginia Facts and Emblems
Capital: Richmond
Admission to statehood: June 25, 1788
Border States: Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia
Nickname: Old Dominion State
Location:
Located midway between New York and Florida,
Virginia is the gateway to the South.
It is also sometimes classified in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The Commonwealth is bordered by Washington, D.C.,
the nation's capital, and Maryland to the north;
the Atlantic Ocean to the east; North Carolina
and Tennessee to the south; and West Virginia
and Kentucky to the west.
Western Virginia is mountainous, covered by the
Allegheny and Blue Ridge mountains with the
great Shenandoah Valley falling between the ranges.
The central piedmont region, with its rolling hills,
flattens out into the sandy coastal plain toward
the Atlantic Ocean.
Climate:
Mild with four distinct seasons
Area:
42,767 square miles
State Flag:
A deep blue field contains the seal of Virginia
with the Latin motto " Sic Semper Tyrannis" -
"Thus Always to Tyrants".
Adopted in 1776. The two figures are acting out
the meaning of the motto.
Both are dressed as warriors.
The woman, Virtue, represents Virginia.
The man holding a scourge and chain shows
that he is a tyrant. His fallen crown is nearby.
State Bird:
In 1950, the General Assembly chose the northern
cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) as the state bird because of its
bright plumage and cheerful song. In eighteenth-century
England, the cardinal was called "the Virginia nightingale."
The cardinal is part of the finch family.
State Tree and Flower:
In 1956, the state adopted the American
dogwood as the official tree. The dogwood is well distributed
throughout the Commonwealth, and its beauty is symbolic of
the many attractive features of Virginia. The dogwood blooms
in early spring and its blossom is a tiny cluster of flowers
surrounded by four white leaves that look like petals.
In 1918, the state floral emblem commonly known as the
American dogwood was adopted. It was selected to foster a
feeling of pride in our state and to stimulate an interest in the
history and traditions of the Commonwealth.
State Dog:
In 1966, the American fox hound became the state
dog. George Washington imported fox hounds into Virginia for
hunting purposes. All fox hounds are descendants of these
dogs. The American fox hound is also one of four breeds of
American origin, the other three originating in other states.
The American fox hound is a medium-sized hound
trained to hunt foxes.
State Dance:
In 1991, the General Assembly adopted the square
dance as the state folk dance. Square dancing is the
American folk dance which traces its ancestry to the English
country dance and the French ballroom dance. It is called,
cued, or prompted to the dancers. It includes squares,
rounds, clogging, contra, line, the Virginia reel, and heritage
dances.
Welcome to Virginia
Entertainers from Virginia
Facts about Virginia
Nostalgia
Va. State Song
Virginia Trivia
Virginia Pictures
Commonwealth of Virginia
Famous People From Va.
6 Regions in VA.
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