West Virginia is located in the eastern United States, sharing borders with Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland. Before European settlement, the area was inhabited mainly by Iroquois peoples. Formerly part of Virginia, the northwestern counties broke away after years of war, political battles, and discontent, and West Virginia was admitted to the Union as the 35th state on June 20, 1863. The state covers about 24,230 square miles, ranks as the 41st largest U.S. state, and has around 1.9 million residents in 2024, making it the 38th most populated and the 29th most densely populated state.
Rapid industrial growth began in the 1870s, drawing European immigrants and African American workers to jobs in coal mining and related industries. Labor conflicts, including major miners’ strikes between 1912 and 1921, required state and federal intervention and helped shape modern labor rights. Today, West Virginia ranks second in U.S. coal production, handling over 12.5 percent of national output. The state is also a leader in steel, glass, aluminum, and chemical manufacturing. Agriculture contributes through broilers, chicken eggs, cattle and calves, dairy products, and turkeys. The mountains and rivers support a growing tourism and outdoor recreation economy.
Notable landmarks include Andrews United Methodist Church and the International Mother’s Day Shrine in Grafton, where the first Mother’s Day was celebrated on May 10, 1908. Other highlights are the Barrackville Covered Bridge, Berkeley Castle, the 6,500 foot Big Bend Tunnel, Bnai El Synagogue, Bnai Jacob Synagogue, Camden Amusement Park, and Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park with the Patterson House Museum. Additional sites include Core Arboretum, Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, Drover’s Inn and Lodge, Fairfax Stone Historical Monument, Hancock County Historical Museum, Homer Laughlin China Company, Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy, Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, North Central West Virginia Airport, Peter Tarr Furnace, Tomlinson Run State Park, Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center, the West Virginia State Capitol, the West Virginia State Penitentiary, and the World’s Largest Teapot.
West Virginia is often underestimated, yet the Mountain State offers welcoming communities, strong patriotism, and deep pride in service and tradition. Sports culture and musical talent are part of everyday life, and the state’s natural beauty provides year round opportunities for hiking, fishing, and scenic drives. With friendly towns, a strong sense of community, and a slower pace that lets you enjoy the mountains and rivers, living in West Virginia can be a smart and satisfying choice.
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