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Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia was first explored by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584, who named it in honor of Queen Elizabeth I of Great Britain, the Virgin Queen. The first English settlement, Jamestown, was founded in 1607 by Captain Christopher Newport and Captain John Smith. British colonialists, on land grants from the London Virginia Company, staked their claim in the New World. These land grants extended to the coast and included Bermuda, which remained part of Virginia until 1614. The Virginia territory was vast, so much so that it was eventually divided into other states: Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and parts of Ohio. This is an area that is proud of its history. The commonwealth was one of the original thirteen colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution. It is the birthplace of eight United States presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson. Some of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War: Shiloh, Antietam, Fredericksburg, were fought in Virginia. To absorb some of this history, the best areas to visit are Richmond, the state capital and an area known as the Historic Triangle encompassing Jamestown, the living museum of Williamsburg and Yorktown. These areas make up the National Park Service's Colonial National Park.
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Fran Folsom is the author of CitySpot Palermo, a contributor to the Reiskits guides to Milan and Italy's Lakes Region, and Thomas Cook's Independent Traveller USA.

Interests

    Architecture
    Art
    Culture
    Eco-tourism
    History
    Museums
    National Park
    Performing Arts

Activities

    Beach Activities
    Bicycling
    Bird Watching
    Golf
    Scenic Drive
    Sunbathing
    Swimming
    Walking

Virginia Facts

Location:
Eastern United States
Wikipedia:
Virginia
Wikitravel:
Virginia
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Virginia Must See/Do

  1. Jamestown
  2. Yorktown
  3. Williamsburg
  4. Civil War Battlefields
  5. Arlington National Cemetery

Virginia Most Overrated

  1. Busch Gardens

When to Visit Virginia

Anytime is good. Optimal time is spring, summer or fall.

Virginia Photos

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Virginia Maps

Virginia Events

  • October. Lee Count Tobacco and Fall Festival. Pennington Gap
  • November. Caledon Art and Wine Festival
  • November. Urbanna Oyster Festival
  • October. Oktober Fest at Mountain Lake
  • October. Virginia Film Festival. Charlottesville
  • October. The Virginia Equine Extravaganza Horse Expo and Trade Show
  • October. Blue Ridge Autumn Festival
  • November. Urbanna Oyster Festival
  • October. Oktober Fest at Mountain Lake
  • October. The Virginia Equine Extravaganza Horse Expo and Trade Show
  • October. Blue Ridge Autumn Festival
  • November. Caledon Art and Wine Festival
  • October. Virginia Film Festival. Charlottesville
  • October. Lee Count Tobacco and Fall Festival. Pennington Gap

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