Virginia, USA — visiting The Old Dominion State

‘The Old Dominion State’
The state name has been derived from the English Queen Elizabeth I (Queen from 1558-1603), who was commonly known as the ‘Virgin Queen’.

Virginia’s ever-popular travel slogan “Virginia Is for Lovers” means romance in the sense that America’s most romantic stories have always been those involving larger-than-life figures such as Pocahontas and Captain John Smith, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Robert E. Lee, James and Dolley Madison, and Booker T. Washington. This is the land where English-speaking America began.

Here are just a few themes you may wish to explore in Virginia:

Heritage

Arguably the most historic of all 50 United States, Virginia is a veritable microcosm of American heritage. Residents here preserve and interpret everything historic, from colonial towns and trails to 20th-century diners. If you want living history, you’ll find it representing nearly every era at special events and destinations all year long.

Outdoor Recreation

Inject a little excitement into your vacation with the help of Virginia outfitters who package everything from caving, boating, offshore and freshwater fishing, beachfront sports, llama trekking, inn-to-inn hiking, cycling and camping adventures, white-water rafting and sea kayaking. Golf and ski resorts abound here. Each year, in fact, Virginia golf resorts are ranked among the top in the country in a host of national magazines. More than one-fourth of the Appalachian Trail runs through the mountains of Virginia and youíll find more caverns here than in nearly any other East Coast state.

Bed-and-Breakfasts and Country Inns

Almost 25 years ago the custom of bed-and-breakfast stays took root in Virginia. Today hundreds of posh establishments open antique-filled rooms to visitors. Many offer some of the finest dining anywhere in America. For the casual traveler, many provide sporting options on their grounds including horseback riding, hayrides, fishing, hiking and cycling.

‘The Old Dominion State’

The state name has been derived from the English Queen Elizabeth I (Queen from 1558-1603), who was commonly known as the ‘Virgin Queen’.
In 1584 Elizabeth gave permission to settle in the region which is now Virginia State and for explorer Sir Walter Raleigh it was reason enough to suggest the name Virginia for the area.
Old Dominion, the nickname of the state, was coined by the English King Charles II (King from 1660-1685), who was thankful that the region remained loyal to the British Crown during his difficult time (English Civil War in the mid of the 1600s). Dominion in this sense meant that this territory, even if it had a self-government, was fully embedded in the British Commonwealth.
Other nicknames are: ‘Mother of Presidents’ because 8 presidents were born here: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson.
‘Mother of States’ because from the original vast area covered by the territory of Virgina evolved 8 other states in part or completely: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, West Virginia and Wisconsin — and later of course: the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) which consists of land from Virginia and Maryland.
Pentagon und CIA are situated on Virginia soil.

What to do / Sightseeing

• Arlington
• Virginia Beach
• Richmond
• Scenic Byways
• Shenandoah National Park
• Virginia’s Caverns
• Wine Trips
• Jamestown

State Data & Essentials

State Name
Virginia  – State Abbr.: VA
Statehood
25-Jun-1788
– Statehood Ranking: 10
Land Area
39,594 square miles  (102,545 qkm)
– Land Area Ranking: 37
Population
8,001,0224 (2010 Census); 7,078,515 (2000 Census)
Capital
Richmond
Biggest City
Virginia Beach
Nickname
The Old Dominion State
Motto
“Sic Semper Tyrannis” (== Thus Always to Tyrants)
Highest Point
1.746 m / 5,728 ft (Mt. Rogers)
Lowest Point
Meershöhe
Daylight Saving Time: yes
Tree
American Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Flower
American Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Bird
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Song
“Carry Me Back To Old Virginny” (by James Bland)

Map