Nickname: Mountain State
Area: 24 124 sq.mi. (62 480.9 km2)
Highest point: Spruce Knob 4 861 ft. (1481.6 m)
Population: 1 820 600
Capital: Charleston
Largest city: Charleston

West Virginia is a sparsely populated state of the USA. It has a mountain trait; the majority of the state is determined by the Appalachian Mountain and its surround hills, which are covered with endless forests. The territory belonged to Virginia until the civil war, when it decided to backslide from the Eastern part – which is now called Virginia - due to the different opinions in the question of slavery.

The majority of the mines in the region had been closed, and the significance of the wood production fell back too. However, the tourism began to increase significantly in the past few decades, and nowadays several thousands of people come here to take part in adventure tours and to get away from the drift of the large cities, and have a rest in the fresh and clean air villages.

Photo: Country, West-Virginia, USA, flickr.com, by ricmcarthur

The capital and also the largest city of the state is Charleston. It is the educational and commercial center of the state. It is the home of the University of Charleston. It’s worth to visit the Native American Burial Mound, which is an ancient Indian cemetery.

Photo: State Capitol, Charleston, West-Virginia, USA, flickr.com, by jimmywayne22


Photo: County Court House, Charleston, West-Virginia, USA, flickr.com, by jimmywayne22

The state is very rich in natural treasures, which amuse the tourists. It is worth to visit the New River and the George National River, where you may go in for rafting. The Monongahela National Forest is the largest contiguous forest in West Virginia. The Black Water State Park offers an unforgettable experience for the skiers.

Photo: West-Virginia Hills, West-Virginia, USA, flickr.com, by frogmuseum2