Read monthly diaries from folks across the country from all walks of outdoor and country life.
State Abbreviation - VA
State Capital - Richmond
Largest City - Virginia Beach
Area - 42,769 square miles [Virginia is the 35th biggest state in the USA]
Population - 7,078,515 (as of 2000) [Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the USA]
Name for Residents - Virginians
Major Industries - farming (tobacco, peanuts, corn, sweet potatoes, poultry, ham), tourism, US Navy warships, mining (coal), lumber (for paper and furniture), government workers
Origin of the Name Virginia - Virginia was named for Queen Elizabeth I of England (she was known as the Virgin Queen). Sir Walter Raleigh may have suggested this name around 1584.
State Nickname - Old Dominion
State Motto - "Sic Semper Tyrannis" (Thus Always to Tyrants)
State Song - Carry Me Back to Old Virginia
