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U.S. state
Photo: Forest Wander from Cross Lanes, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
West Virginia is a state in the southeastern region of the United States. It's often called the "Mountain State", being the only state in the USA to lie completely within a mountain range (the Appalachians), and having the highest mean elevation of any state in the east. With its small cities and tiny towns tucked among endless forested mountains and hills, beautiful West Virginia is wonderful for outdoor lovers. The residents of the counties that became West Virginia split from the State of Virginia in part due to a disagreement over the issues of slavery and secession. These counties elected to remain with the Union during the American Civil War, and the new state was born on June 20, 1863. The population of the state today is around 1.8 million people. The capital city is Charleston, and the state motto is "Mountaineers are always free."
The state's urban center containing its 2 largest cities, which includes the capital. This region borders Ohio and Kentucky
Bordering the Ohio River and the western panhandle of the state. Contains the state's 4th and 5th largest cities, small industrial river towns, rural farmlands and hills. The northern panhandle is relatively close to and influenced by Pittsburgh.
The southernmost part of the state, with whitewater rafting and beautiful parklands and small towns. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve features the deepest canyon in eastern North America.
West Virginia's technology corridor, containing its third largest city and second largest urban cluster bordering the south of Pennsylvania; and containing the very rural central part of the state, with lots of lakes, rivers and streams.
Tucked away in the Allegheny Mountains and the Monongahela National Forest, with much of the state's skiing and caving, this mostly very rural region contains the state's highest and lowest point, an important part of the state's Civil War heritage, and its more populous eastern panhandle is relatively close to and influenced by Washington DC and Baltimore.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Which covers 32 states, has 14 sites in West Virginia.
By motorcycle
Motorcyclists will tell you that the best way to see the state is definitely by motorcycle.
By bus
Although there aren't any statewide bus lines, many of the metropolitan areas have their own inter-area bus systems. Information on transit can be found here.
By train
There are several scenic train lines, if you want to view some of West Virginia's picturesque landscapes from the comfort of an excursion train:
By foot
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Bridgeport · Regional · CKB
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the largest city, state capital and cultural center.
home to Tamarack Marketplace ("the best of West Virginia") and an exhibition coal mine. The closest larger town to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
West Virginia's highest elevation major city, nestled in the East River Mountains on the border with Virginia.
a historic town founded by George Washington's youngest brother Charles.
a major Civil War site and West Virginia's most popular tourist destination.
2nd largest city, stomping grounds of the Marshall University Thundering Herd.
3rd largest city, stomping grounds of the West Virginia University Mountaineers.
location of Blennerhassett Island.
Victorian architecture and a popular casino.
the most photographed location in West Virginia, running through a gorge along the Blackwater River.
over 919,000 acres (3,700 km2) of forest stretching across the eastern half of West Virginia from near Elkins to Richwood. Includes the highest point in West Virginia: Spruce Knob, and the famous Seneca Rocks and Dolly Sods to the north; and the Highland Scenic Highway and Cranberry Wilderness and Cranberry Glades to the south.
the deepest canyon in eastern North America.
Morgantown is the third largest city in West Virginia, and is the county seat of Monongalia County. It is home to West Virginia University, the state's flagship public university and university with the largest student body in the state.
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