West Virginia, State in Appalachian region, United States
West Virginia stretches across the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States, forming a region of forested peaks, deep river valleys, and rolling ridges. The territory includes high plateaus, waterfalls, cave systems, and wide forests that cover roughly two thirds of the land.
The territory separated from Virginia during the Civil War in June 1863 and joined the Union as an independent state. Coal mining shaped the economy and social life for more than a century, lasting well into the second half of the 20th century.
Visitors hear traditional Appalachian folk music played at festivals and community halls, featuring banjos, fiddles, and old ballads passed down through generations. Former mining towns preserve equipment, photographs, and original structures that show how families lived and worked underground.
Hiking and climbing opportunities are found throughout New River Gorge National Park, which offers marked trails and rock faces along the river. Access to most public areas requires no special permits beyond standard entry fees and safety guidelines.
The area holds Dolly Sods, a high plateau east of the Mississippi that reaches over 4000 feet (around 1200 meters) and supports vegetation resembling arctic zones. It also contains the New River Gorge Bridge, one of the longest single-arch steel bridges in the Western Hemisphere.
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