West Virginia

The state contains 45 state parks and 6 national parks across 600,000 acres of public lands within the Appalachian Mountain range.

West Virginia separated from Virginia and joined the Union as the 35th state on June 20, 1863 during the American Civil War.

Coal mining heritage shapes the state identity through traditional music, festivals, and industrial sites that preserve the region's working history.

The New River Gorge National Park provides opportunities for rock climbing, hiking trails, and white-water rafting along its 70,000-acre preserve.

The state contains Dolly Sods, the highest plateau east of the Mississippi River, reaching elevations over 4,000 feet with arctic-like vegetation.

Location: United States

Inception: June 20, 1863

Capital city: Charleston

Elevation above the sea: 455 m

Part of: contiguous United States, South Atlantic states

Shares border with: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky

Website: https://wv.gov

GPS coordinates: 38.47584,-80.84084

Latest update: June 4, 2025 20:20