Virginia "Sic semper tyrannis" (Thus always to tyrants) The United States of America Carol A Haberkern Richmond I Save A Tree Electronic Books C 2003 I Save A Tree Inc.
Table of Contents Location 5 History before statehood 7 History since statehood 9 State government 11 State flag 13 Current facts 15 Industry today 17 State landmarks 19 Weather and land 21 Animals in Virginia 23 State bird 25 State tree 27 State flower 29 Famous people from Virginia 31 Things to do in Virginia 33 Popular sports in Virginia 35 Fast facts 37 Glossary 39 Web sites / books for information 41 Index 43 Credits 45
Location Virginia is a southern and a mid- Atlantic state. It is located in the eastern part of the United States. The Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay and the state of Maryland border Virginia on the east. To the west are the states of West Virginia and Kentucky. North Carolina and Tennessee are on its southern border. Richmond, the capital of Virginia, is in the southeastern part of the state. Richmond 6
History Before Statehood Jamestown When the Spanish arrived in 1570, Indian tribes were living in Virginia. English explorers claimed Virginia for England in the 1600s. Jamestown was built soon after. It was the first permanent English settlement in the New World. The English colonies were unhappy about the heavy taxes that England placed on them. In 1775, the Revolutionary War began. The colonies won the war and formed the United States of America. Indian huts 8
History Since Statehood Early miners Virginia became the 10th state in the Union in 1788. Virginia used slaves to work in its fields. It fought in the Civil War (1861-1865) to keep slave labor. Cities, plantations and farms were destroyed. Slavery was abolished and Reconstruction was underway. Textile and furniture factories opened and coal mining began. During World War II (1941-1945), factories made weapons. Newport News became a military base. After the war, more factories moved into the state. Textile mill 10
Government State capitol building The state government of Virginia is divided into three branches. The legislative branch is called the General Assembly. It makes the laws. The General Assembly has two parts, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Governor Mark R.Warner is head of the executive branch. This branch is in charge of carrying out the laws. The third branch is the judicial branch. This branch interprets the laws. Virginia has 95 counties. Each county has a local government. Governor Mark R. Warner 12
State Flag Virginia adopted its flag in 1923. The state seal is located in the center of the dark blue flag. On the seal are two figures dressed as warriors. The woman represents virtue. She is victoriously standing over a fallen man. The man represents tyranny. 14
Current Facts Virginia highway Plantations Virginia's population is over 7,078,515. The state is ranked the 12th largest state for the number of people living in it. Virginia covers 39,598 square miles. It ranks 37th in total area. Virginia Beach is the largest city in Virginia. 16
Industry Today Tourism is a large industry in the state. Other important industries include the manufacturing of textiles, chemicals, tobacco and food products. Tobacco, soybeans, peanuts and other vegetables are grown in the state. Poultry, hogs, cattle and horses are raised in Virginia. A lot of coal is mined in the state. Limestone, sand and gravel are other important minerals found in Virginia. Textiles factory Lumber mill 18
Landmarks Canoeing The Shenandoah National Park is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is famous for the colorful display of leaves in the fall. The Luray Caverns were formed over 400 million years ago. Rock formations are still growing in its caves. The Natural Bridge of Virginia is 215 feet high with a highway running across the top. Assateague Island is famous for the wild ponies that roam on the small island. Wild ponies 20
Weather & Land Sunflower Virginia's climate is mild. Temperatures average from 36 in winter to 75 Fahrenheit in the summer. The average yearly precipitation is 43 inches. In winter, heavy snow may fall in the mountains. T he western part of Virginia has a lot of mountains, and the middle part of the state is covered with rolling hills. The ground is flat and sandy along the Atlantic coast. Coastline 22
Animals In Virginia Humming bird The foxhound was named the state animal in 1966. George Washington imported foxhounds into Virginia to hunt foxes. The dogs are still used for the sport. The most famous animals in Virginia are the wild ponies that live on Assateague Island. Other types of animals also live in Virginia. These include black bears, deer, elk, foxes, raccoons and skunks. Birds include large pileated woodpeckers, wild turkeys, hummingbirds, grosbeaks and quail. Ponies 24
State Bird Cardinal The cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) was named the state bird of Virginia in 1950. The male cardinal is bright red with a little black around the bill. The female cardinal is much duller in color. Cardinals live in Virginia year around. They can be found in fields, woods and gardens. Cardinals are lovely singers. The cardinal's song sounds like a loud, flute-like whistle. Cardinal 26
State Tree Dogwood forest Dogwood The dogwood (Cornus florida ) was named the state tree of Virginia in 1956. The dogwood is a native tree in Virginia. This tree grows in many parts of the state. It is a sturdy, small tree with spreading, drooping branches. In the spring, the flowers appear before the leaves. The dogwood flowers can be pink or white. When in bloom they cover the tree. In the fall, the leaves turn bright red. 28
State Flower Dogwood Blossom The flower of the American dogwood (Cornus florida) was named the state flower in 1918. Dogwood flowers can be pink or white in color. Instead of petals, the blossoms have four bracts. In the fall, red berries grow from the center. These berries are used to make red dye. The birds also enjoy them. Dogwood Blossom 30
Famous People George Washington Virginia has been called the "Mother of Presidents." George Washington, the first president of the United States, was born in Virginia. Virginia was home to seven other U.S. Presidents including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe. The Indian princess Pocahontas, the Confederate General Robert E. Lee, and the founder of Tuskegee University, Booker T.Washington, were also Virginians. Thomas Jefferson 32
Things to Do In Virginia Civil War Cannon Virginia has many historical places to visit. Around Richmond are 11 Civil War battlefield sites. The Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered at the Appomattox Court House. It is now a national historic park. Mt Vernon, George Washington's home, is on the Potomac River. Camping, biking, hiking and swimming are a few of the outdoor activities available in Virginia. Many festivals are held during the warmer months of the year. Fishing 34
Sports In Virginia Golf course The Norfolk Tides is a minor league team for the New York Mets. Colleges, like Virginia Tech, provide lots of football action. Horseback riding is a big sport in northern Virginia. Virginia's mild temperature provides lots of opportunity for golfing. Stock car racing is held at tracks in Richmond and Martinsville. Horseback riding 36
Fast Facts Coastline Governor: Mark R.Warner Capital: Richmond Size: 39,598 square miles, 37th in the U.S. Population: 7,078,515, 12th in the U.S. Major cities: Richmond, Norfolk,Virginia Beach, Portsmouth Nickname: "Old Dominion," "Mother of Presidents" State bird: cardinal State animal: foxhound State tree: dogwood State flower: : dogwood State song : "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia" State motto: "Sic semper tyrannis" (Thus always to tyrants) Water fowl 38
Glossary duller, not as bright. elk, a type of large deer. flute, a long musical instrument played by blowing into it. limestone, a mass formed by coral or shells. manufacturing, to make something using a machine. native, a plant that originally grew in the area. permanent, to last for a long time. Reconstruction, the period from 1865 to 1877, during which states rebuilt after the Civil War. represents, to act for someone else. wild ponies, small wild horses that live on Assateague Island. 40
Link1 Link2 Link3 Link4 Links & Books For more information TITLE: Colony of Virginia AUTHOR: Brooke Coleman PUBLISHER: PowerKids Press COPYRIGHT: 2000 TITLE: Virginia AUTHOR: Dennis Brindell Fradin PUBLISHER: Children's Press COPYRIGHT: 1992 TITLE: Virginia Facts and Symbols AUTHOR: Bill McAuliffe PUBLISHER: Capstone Press COPYRIGHT: 1999 Visit our website @ www.isaveatree.com 42
Index Assateague Island, 20, 23 cardinal, 25, 26 coal, 10, 18 dogwood, 27,28, 29 foxhound, 23 Jamestown, 7 Lee, Robert E., 32, 33 mid-atlantic, 5 Newport News, 10 ponies, 20, 23 textile, 10, 17 Virginia Tech, 35 Warner, Mark R., 11 Washington, George, 31, 34 World War II, 10 44
Credits Written by Carol A. Haberkern Edited by Linda Coyner Produced by Robert Rance Technologies Doug Meyers Design Dan Mader hoto credits http://www.myvirginia.org Virginia Department of Natural Resources www.arttoday.com I Save A Tree Inc. reserves the right to remove or exchange any photo/illustration at any time without notice. 46