West Virginia: History, Geography, Population, State Facts, National Real Estate search

West Virginia History, Geography, Population, State Facts

The Mountain State

Great Seal of the State of West Virginia

Adoptedon September 26, 1863.

The Great Seal of West Virginia, which is also the Coat of Arms, was adopted by the Legislature on September 26, 1863. It symbolizes the principal pursuits and resources of West Virginia. Described briefly, the Seal bears the legend, "State of West Virginia", together with the motto, "Montani Semper Liberi" (Mountaineers Are Always Free); a farmer stands to the right and a miner to the left of a large ivy-draped rock bearing the date of the State's admission to the Union. In front of the rock are two hunters' rifles upon which rests a Phrygian Cap, or "Cap of Liberty". Joseph H. Diss Debar of Doddridge County designed the State Seal in 1863 at the request of the first West Virginia Legislature.

West Virginia's early history from 1609 until 1863 is largely shared with Virginia, of which it was a part until Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861. The delegates of the 40 western counties who opposed secession formed their own government, which was granted statehood in 1863.

In 1731 Morgan Morgan established the first permanent white settlement on Mill Creek in present-day Berkeley County. Coal, a mineral asset that would figure significantly in West Virginia's history, was discovered in 1742. Other important natural resources are oil, natural gas, and hardwood forests, which cover about 75% of the state's area.

Capital City: Charleston

Capitol Tour

West Virginia: State of West Virginia Official Web Site

Admission to Statehood: Click for Date & List

Airports: Airports Map | Airport Links

Amtrak: Northeast

Area: 24231 sq.mi, 41st Land 24087 sq. mi., 41st Water 145 sq.mi., 50th

Area Codes: West Virginia

Biographies: Famous People from West Virginia

Bird: Northern Cardinal

Border States: Regional List Kentucky Maryland Ohio Pennsylvania Virginia

Cam World: Live Web Cams

Cities & Towns: West Virginia

Climate: West Virginia

Community Pages: West Virginia Cities, Towns, Communities List

Constitution: 35th State

Counties: West Virginia

County Profile: County Map 55 Counties

Courts: Judicial System

Current Events: West Virginia News Headlines

Department of: Education | Certification | West Virginia University | Located in Morgantown.

Driving: DMV

Economy: Agriculture: Cattle, dairy products, poultry, apples. Industry: Chemical products, mining, primary metals, stone, clay, and glass products, tourism.

Flag: West Virginia (WV)

Flower: Rhododendron Rhododendron maximum

Cyndi's List Historical Societies

Geographic Center: Braxton, 4 miles east of Sutton

Geology Maps: West Virginia

Ghost Towns: Ghost Towns

Governor: Office of Governor

Highest Point: Spruce Knob; 4,863 feet, 24th

Highways: West Virginia Highways

History: History Timeline • Historical Civil War

Hotels, Motels & Inns:

Kids Corner: State of West Virginia Kids Site