Virginia Maps & Facts - World Atlas

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Virginia, officially named the “Commonwealth of Virginia," is located in the eastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay to the east. It shares its northeastern border with Maryland and Washington DC, its southern border with North Carolina and Tennessee, its southwestern border with Kentucky, and its northern and western borders with West Virginia.

Virginia’s capital is Richmond, located in the eastern part of the state, while the most populous city is Virginia Beach, along the southeastern coast, with a little over 450,000 residents.

In the early 17th century, the Virginia Company, a group of London businessmen, settled in Virginia under a charter granted by King James I. In 1788, the state of Virginia ratified the US Constitution, making it the 10th state to join the Union.

Area

Virginia, with a total area of 42,775 square miles (110,787 square kilometers), is the 35th largest state in the US. It is about four times larger than Massachusetts and half the size of Utah. Compared to other countries, Virginia is roughly the same size as Cuba and three times smaller than Finland.

Bodies of Water

Virginia is home to approximately 49,350 miles of rivers. Some of the most notable include the Potomac River, which forms the state’s northern border with Maryland; the James River, the state’s longest, flowing from the Appalachian Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay; and the Rappahannock River, running from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the north to the Chesapeake Bay in the east. There are only two natural lakes in the state: Lake Drummond, in the extreme southeast, and Mountain Lake, in western Virginia near Newport.

Geographical Characteristics

Although Virginia is a fairly urbanized state, there are still many forested areas, specifically where the land transitions from mountains and valleys in the west to beaches along the Atlantic coastline. The land can be divided into five different physical regions: Appalachian Plateau, Appalachian Ridge and Valley, Blue Ridge, Piedmont, and Atlantic Coastal Plain.

Appalachian Plateau

The Appalachian Plateau lies in the northern part of Virginia’s westernmost tip. It features flat-lying, sedimentary rocks, forests, and land dissected by streams and rivers.

Appalachian Ridge and Valley

To the east of the Appalachian Plateau is the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region, filled with deep escarpments and long, even ridges. There are also many natural bridges, caverns, and sinkholes scattered throughout.

Blue Ridge Mountains

The Blue Ridge Mountains region follows the southwest to northwest edge of the state, featuring steep, forested mountains that are part of the Appalachians. Virginia’s highest point, Mount Rogers, is in this section, standing 5,729 feet (1,746 meters) above sea level.

Piedmont

Piedmont, located in central Virginia, is a slightly inclined plain with fertile land and rolling hills. It descends from the Blue Ridge Mountains down to the coastal plain to the east.

Atlantic Coastal Plain

The Atlantic Coastal Plain is the easternmost region in the state, featuring a lowland with salt marshes and swamps. The state’s major estuaries, such as the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Chesapeake Bay lie in this area as well.