West Virginia, abbreviated WV and W.Va., is a state of the United States, on the Allegheny Plateau. It borders Pennsylvania and Maryland in the north, Virginia in the east and south, Kentucky in the southwest and Ohio in the west, along the Ohio River. The state has an area of 62,760 km2 and has 1,815,857 residents (US Census, 2017). The capital is Charleston.
West Virginia is also known as The Mountain State, the “Mountain State “.
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Geography and climate
West Virginia is a mountain and mountain landscape with narrow valleys; almost half the area is covered by the Appalachians, the highest peak being Spruce Knob (1481 masl) in the east. The Ohio River forms the western boundary.
The climate is humid continental; Charleston has 23.4 °C on average in July, 1.1 °C in January and 1010 mm of precipitation. Around the 3 / 4 of the area is covered by forest, mainly woodland. Main species of wood are oak, beech, walnut, chestnut and poplar.
Population
Of the population, 92.2 per cent are considered white, 3.6 per cent black and 1.6 per cent Hispanic (US Census, 2017). 48.7 per cent of the population live in cities or urban areas, against the national average of 80.7 per cent (2010). The largest cities are the capital of Charleston and Huntington. Major institutions of higher education are Marshall University in Huntington (founded 1837) and West Virginia University in Morgantown (1867). Methodists, Baptists and Catholics make up the largest denominations.
West Virginia sends two senators and three representatives to the Washington Congress in Washington.
Business
Only six percent of the area is cultivated; It produces especially high, grain and apples. Animal husbandry is important, with lots of cattle and poultry. West Virginia is among the largest coal producers in the United States. There is also some oil and natural gas; also salt, sand and limestone.
The coal deposits created an early foundation for a significant iron and steel industry, chemical industry and glassworks. Reductions in the mining and heavy industry have led to high unemployment and emigration since the 1960s, and a conscious effort is being made to attract new industries.
The world famous spa resort is located in White Sulfur Springs. Harpers Ferry, where John Brown raided a federal arsenal of arms in an attempt to arm the slaves for rebellion in 1859, is today a national memorial.
History
West Virginia belonged to Virginia until 1861, when the state split during the American Civil War. The 40 westernmost counties (counties) voted against withdrawal of the union and formed a state government in Wheeling, and in 1863, West Virginia busy as the 35th state in the union.