West Virginia

Also known as: The State of West Virginia, State of West Virginia, "Mountain State," a title reflecting its position as the only state located entirely within the Appalachian Mountain range. Another popular, iconic moniker is "Almost Heaven," famously derived from John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads".

West Virginia – The Mountain State 🏔️🌲

🗺️ Geography & Natural Features 🏔️🌊

Borders:

• Pennsylvania
• Maryland
• Virginia
• Kentucky
• Ohio

Major Regions:

• Appalachian Mountains
• Allegheny Mountains
• Potomac Highlands

Highest Point:

• Spruce Knob (4,863 ft)

Major Rivers:

• Ohio River
• Kanawha River
• Monongahela River
• New River

📜 History

🏹 Indigenous Peoples

• Shawnee
• Cherokee

⚔ Civil War Creation

West Virginia became a separate Union state in 1863.

⛏ Industrial Era

Coal mining shaped the economy and culture for over a century.

🏛 Government

Executive: Governor
Legislative: West Virginia Legislature
Judicial: Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia

🏙 Major Cities 🌆

• Charleston
• Huntington
• Morgantown
• Parkersburg
• Wheeling

💼 Economy 💰

Major industries:

• Coal mining
• Natural gas
• Timber
• Chemical production
• Tourism & outdoor recreation

The state has transitioned toward tourism and energy diversification in recent decades.

🎓 Education 🎓

Major universities:

• West Virginia University
• Marshall University

🦅 Official State Symbols

🌸 State Flower

Rhododendron

🐦 State Bird

Northern Cardinal

🌳 State Tree

Sugar Maple

🐻 State Animal

Black Bear

🏛 State Motto

“Montani Semper Liberi” (Mountaineers Are Always Free)

🏞 National Parks & NPS Units

🌊 New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

America’s newest national park (designated 2020).

🏞 Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Historic site of John Brown’s 1859 raid.

🌲 National Forests

🌲 Monongahela National Forest

Covers nearly 1 million acres of Appalachian wilderness.

🏔 Wilderness Areas (Major)

Located within Monongahela National Forest:

• Dolly Sods Wilderness
• Otter Creek Wilderness
• Cranberry Wilderness
• Laurel Fork Wilderness

🦅 National Wildlife Refuges

• Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge

🏕 Major West Virginia State Parks

West Virginia has 35+ state parks.

Major examples:

• Blackwater Falls State Park
• Pipestem Resort State Park
• Hawks Nest State Park

📊 West Virginia Public Lands Summary

• 1 National Park
• 1 National Historical Park
• 1 National Forest
• Multiple Wilderness Areas
• National Wildlife Refuge
• 35+ State Parks

West Virginia is one of the most mountainous states in the nation and a cornerstone of Appalachian heritage.

🏈🏀 Sports ⚾

West Virginia has no major professional teams but strong college athletics.

🏈 West Virginia Mountaineers

🏈 Marshall Thundering Herd

Hunting, fishing, and high school football are major cultural traditions.

🎬 Movies Filmed in West Virginia 🎥

• October Sky
• We Are Marshall

⭐ Famous People from West Virginia

• Kathy Mattea
• Don Knotts
• Steve Harvey

✝ Faith & Reflection

The motto “Mountaineers Are Always Free” reflects independence and resilience.

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills…” — Psalm 121:1

The mountains of West Virginia symbolize strength, endurance, and freedom.