Virginia: One Important State

One state that has been and still is very significant to this country is Virginia. Many things in our country's history happened here. Many famous event happened; and many famous people resided in Virginia. It's region, climate, and scenery are spectacular (believe me; I've been there), and without the population, this country would have a lot less to brag about. Virginia is undoubtedly one important state.

History

            From Native Americans to now, Virginia has changed a lot. There is a lot to say about Virginia, but this is all I’ve got.

            Virginia has been inhabited by people for at least three thousand years. At the end of the sixteenth century, the Native American tribes that lived in Virginia included: the Cherokee, the Chesepian, the Chickahominy, the Mattaponi, the Meherrin, the Monacan, the Nansemond, the Nottoway, the Pamunkey, the Pohick, the Powhatan, the Rappahannock, the Saponi, and the Tuscarora. These tribes were separated into three groups (by language): Algonquian, Iroquoian, and Siouan. Algonquian had more population than the other two groups. One of the most famous Natives in Virginia (and America) was Pocahontas. It is said that she saved John Smith from death. Nobody that is living now knows for sure if this story is real.

            Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in the U.S. In 1606, the London Company sent one hundred and four men and boys to establish an English settlement in the Americas. They traveled on three ships: the Godspeed, the Susan Constant, and the Discovery. They landed in the Chesapeake Bay area. After they explored, they went up the James River and chose the Jamestown area to live in. They built a fort there.

            On February 22, 1732, the father of America was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Without him, America might still be here, but it and its history would be changed much.

            In Shadwell, Virginia on April 13, 1743, a baby was born that probably changed every life in America. He wrote the Declaration of Independence, was the third president, was father of the University of Virginia, a minister to France, and he did many more great things.

In 1765, England tried to pass the Stamp Act to get money. Patrick Henry (from Hanover County, Virginia) and other Virginians helped oppose the Stamp Act. Patrick Henry saved the U.S. from debt.

            Virginia achieved statehood on June 25, 1788 and it was the tenth state to achieve statehood.

            In the Civil War, Virginia not only was part of the Confederacy, but was the capital of it. A few blocks north of the state capital, the capital of the Confederacy was where Jefferson Davis and his family lived.

            Virginia was very important in American history. Without Virginia, there wouldn’t be the abbreviation “U.S.A.”

            Population

            Virginia has a pretty dense population. There are many types of people there too. You’ll probably learn a lot more about the population in Virginia if you read this.

            In 2006, the total population of Virginia (in estimation) was 7,642,884 people. About 74.94% of these people were white, 20.64% black, 5.20% Asian, 0.74% Native American or Native Alaskan, and 0.16% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.

            Recent estimations of historical population prove that from 1790 to 2006, Virginia’s population has grown by almost 17 million people! Some of the best leaders of America were from Virginia. Some people chose to live in Virginia because it was scenic, some because it was historical, some because they wanted land, and some just because they needed a place to live.

            In the following paragraphs you’ll read about some populous cities in Virginia.

            Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia. Two landmarks there are Mt. Trashmore Park and a giant Neptune statue. The giant Neptune statue is on the boardwalk and people like to take photos of it. Mt. Trashmore Park is a pile of trash with a park built on top. It’s the highest point in Virginia Beach.

            Norfolk is the second biggest city in Virginia. Two famous people from Norfolk were: William Woodford and Joseph Roberts. Woodford led an army in Norfolk and Roberts was the first president of Liberia.

            Chesapeake is the third most populous city in Virginia. Two rivers in Chesapeake are: the Elizabeth River and the North Landing River. They connect into the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal.

            Population is very important in Virginia. It’s the tenth most populous state and without it, there would be much less population in the United States.            

           Region and Climate

Virginia has a beautiful climate. In central and southern Virginia, it is warm. It is a bit colder in northern Virginia, but Virginia is mostly warm. It has a good temperature.

            Virginia is located in the southern region of the U.S. There are ten regions in Virginia: Cumberland Mountains, Allegheny Mountains, Ridge and Valley, Southern Blue Ridge, Northern Blue Ridge, Northern Piedmont, Southern Piedmont, Northern Coastal Plain, Southern Coastal Plain, and Outer Plain.

            In the following paragraphs, you’ll read about a couple popular, natural landmarks.

            Buffalo Mountain National Area Preserve is a popular site in Virginia. You can go on hikes and see views of fifty miles on a clear day. There are many rare grasses and wildflowers. It is very scenic.

            Cascades National Recreation trail is scenic also. It meanders through Jefferson Forest and you can see a waterfall that’s sixty-six feet high!

            Mason Neck State Park is a popular state park near D.C. People love to go canoeing. Another popular thing to do there is bird watching. You can even find bald eagles there.

            Sandy Bottom Nature Park is very scenic. You can go fishing and hiking. There are lots of trees and grass there.

            There are many mountains and mountain ranges in Virginia. These are some of them.

            Mount Rogers is the tallest mountain in Virginia. It is five thousand seven hundred fifty-nine feet taller than sea level. It is located in Grayson County and Smyth County.

            The Appalachian Mountains run through Virginia. They start in Canada and go through seventeen states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, New Jersey, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina.

            There are many landforms in Virginia. Some of them are: arches, islands, bays, wetlands, mountains, beaches, volcanoes, canyons, gorges, estuaries, lakes, peninsulas, valleys, springs, rivers, and waterfalls.

              There are many beautiful places in Virginia. Without “the pretty state”, there would be much less beauty in America.

Claim to Fame

            Virginia is known for many things. The first permanent English settlement, Jamestown, was located in Virginia. Also, eight presidents were from Virginia, more than any other state. There are many other fun facts about Virginia, and if you read this section, I’m sure you’ll learn a lot more about Virginia.

            Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement, was located in Virginia. It was located on the James River. It was lead by John Smith.

            Virginia is the only state that borders the District of Columbia (besides Maryland). Washington, in the District of Columbia, was chosen by George Washington to be the nation’s capital.

            George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. He later became the first president of the United States. He died at his house on Mount Vernon, Virginia.

            Thomas Jefferson was born in Shadwell, Virginia. He wrote the Declaration of Independence and designed his house, Monticello, in Charlottesville, Virginia. He died there.

            James Madison was born in Virginia too. He was born in Port Conway. He was the father of the Constitution and the fourth president of the U. S. He died in Montpelier, Virginia.

            James Monroe was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He became the fifth president. He didn’t die in Virginia; he died in New York City.

            William Harrison was born in Charles City County, Virginia. He was the ninth president of the U.S. He died in Washington D.C.

            John Tyler was born in Charles City County, Virginia. He was the tenth president and died in Richmond, Virginia.

            Zachary Taylor was born in Barboursville, Virginia. He became the twelfth president and he died in Washington, D.C.

            Woodrow Wilson was born in Staunton, Virginia. He was the twenty-eighth president and he died in the nation’s capital.

            Meriwether Lewis was born in Albemarle County, Virginia. He, under the orders of Thomas Jefferson, tried to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean. He died in Hohenwald, Tennessee.

            William Clark was born in Caroline County, Virginia. He went with Meriwether Lewis to try to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean. He died in St. Louis, Missouri.

            See? Virginia is really important. No Virginia = no U.S.

           Virginia was and is certainly one of the most important states in this nation. It has brought us countless leaders, many citizens, much scenery, and a lot of heritage. I'm not sure where this nation would be without Virginia, but I'm sure it would be very low.