Virginia Overview

The Commonwealth of Virginia anchors the Mid‑Atlantic, stretching from the Atlantic shoreline and Chesapeake Bay to the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains. Founded as an English colony in the early 1600s, it played a formative role in U.S. political history and is still known as the “Old Dominion.” Today the state balances large metropolitan areas in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads with historic towns, farmland, and mountain communities.

Economy

Virginia’s economy is diversified: federal employment and contracting tied to Washington, D.C. influence Northern Virginia, while ports, shipbuilding, and defense-related activity drive coastal Hampton Roads. Richmond serves as a major center for state government, finance, and professional services. Across the Commonwealth, advanced manufacturing, data centers, life sciences, and logistics are important growth areas, alongside longstanding strengths in agriculture such as poultry, soybeans, and specialty crops, and a large visitor economy.

Education

Higher education is a statewide asset, with flagship and research institutions such as the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and the College of William & Mary complemented by public universities and community colleges across multiple regions. These campuses feed talent into engineering, health sciences, business, and public policy, while also supporting extension programs, workforce credentials, and small-business development. Public school systems vary by locality but benefit from statewide standards and deep ties to local employers and civic organizations.

Culture

Virginia’s cultural identity blends Tidewater and Chesapeake maritime traditions, Piedmont and mountain heritage, and the cosmopolitan influence of the national capital region. Music, foodways, and local festivals reflect this mix, from coastal seafood and oyster culture to barbecue and Appalachian folk traditions. Museums and historic sites interpret Indigenous history, the colonial era, the Civil War, and the civil rights movement, while arts districts in cities like Richmond, Alexandria, and Norfolk provide contemporary theater, galleries, and public art.

Travel and Entertainment

Visitors can shift from beach vacations to mountain hikes within a single trip. Popular experiences include the Virginia Beach oceanfront, the Historic Triangle of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, and scenic drives along Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Outdoor recreation ranges from Shenandoah National Park trails and river sports on the James and New Rivers to birding and kayaking in coastal wildlife refuges, with wine, craft beverage, and culinary trails adding year-round appeal.