Virginia
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Capital
Richmond
Largest city
Virginia Beach
Population
8,880,107 (2025 estimate)
Local structure
95 counties · 38 independent cities
Virginia is a U.S. state on the Atlantic seaboard that officially styles itself the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its landscapes run from Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay shorelines across the Coastal Plain and Piedmont to the Blue Ridge and the Appalachian highlands.[1]
Virginia's estimated population was 8,880,107 on July 1, 2025.[2] The capital is Richmond, while Virginia Beach is the state's largest city by population. Virginia's local-government map is unusual: the Commonwealth has 95 counties and 38 independent cities, meaning those cities are not legally part of surrounding counties.[3]
Virginia at a glance
Virginia reaches from sea level along the Atlantic coast and Eastern Shore to Mount Rogers, the state's highest point, in the southwestern Blue Ridge. The Department of Conservation and Recreation describes five major physiographic provinces crossing Virginia: the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, Blue Ridge, Ridge and Valley, and Appalachian Plateaus.[4]
For travel and destination planning, Virginia's official tourism organization groups the Commonwealth into ten visitor regions, including Northern Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley, Central and Southern Virginia, multiple mountain regions, Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore, and the Chesapeake Bay region.[5]
Atlantic to Appalachia
Ocean beaches, tidal rivers, the Chesapeake Bay, rolling Piedmont, Blue Ridge ridges, long valleys, and the Appalachian highlands give Virginia unusually varied geography within one state.
133 county equivalents
Virginia's 95 counties and 38 independent cities create a local-government structure unlike that of most states. Incorporated towns remain within counties.
A long civic history
Jamestown was established in 1607, a representative assembly met in 1619, and Virginia ratified the U.S. Constitution on June 25, 1788, becoming the tenth state.
Many Virginias in one
Urban Northern Virginia, the Tidewater cities, historic Central Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge, the coalfields, farm country, and the Eastern Shore each have distinct landscapes and local identities.
Land and regions
Virginia spans about 469 miles from east to west and includes coastal, piedmont, mountain, valley, and plateau landscapes.[6]
Useful starting points on Virginia.wiki include:
Cities, counties, and communities
Virginia's constitution distinguishes counties, independent cities, and incorporated towns. An independent city is legally separate from any county, while a town remains within a county.[7]
The Commonwealth reports 95 counties, 38 independent cities, and 191 incorporated towns.[8]
Among the best-known urban and historic centers are Richmond, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and communities across Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, the Shenandoah Valley, Southside, and Southwest Virginia.
History
Virginia's recorded history is far older than the Commonwealth itself and includes the histories of Indigenous peoples, English colonization, slavery, revolution, civil war, industrialization, migration, and modern growth.
The English settlement at Jamestown was established in 1607. Virginia's first representative legislative assembly met at Jamestown in 1619. The colonial capital later moved to Williamsburg, and in 1779 the capital moved to Richmond.[9]
On June 25, 1788, Virginia ratified the U.S. Constitution and became the tenth state to join the Union.[10]
For a fuller chronology and topic guide, see History of Virginia.
Government
Virginia's constitution separates legislative, executive, and judicial power.[11]
The legislative branch is the Virginia General Assembly. It consists of a 100-member House of Delegates and a 40-member Senate.[12] The judicial system is headed by the Supreme Court of Virginia, with other appellate and trial courts established under the Constitution and state law.[13]
Richmond is the seat of state government and home to the Virginia State Capitol.
Economy and institutions
Virginia's economy is diversified across government, defense, technology, business and financial services, manufacturing, logistics, life sciences, agriculture, tourism, and other sectors. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership identifies aerospace and defense, advanced materials manufacturing, business and financial services, life sciences, and supply-chain industries among the Commonwealth's major targeted sectors.[14]
Virginia also has a large public higher-education system. The Office of the Secretary of Education reports 16 public colleges and universities and 23 community colleges.[15]
Culture and everyday Virginia
Virginia's identity is regional as much as statewide. The Chesapeake and Tidewater are shaped by water and maritime industries; the Piedmont and central regions contain major political, educational, and historic centers; the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Valley connect mountain landscapes with agriculture and tourism; and Southwest Virginia carries strong Appalachian traditions.
Food, outdoor recreation, historic sites, colleges, military communities, ports, festivals, arts institutions, and local traditions all contribute to a Commonwealth that changes noticeably from one region to another.
Explore Virginia
Follow Virginia from Indigenous history and colonial settlement through revolution, civil war, industrial change, and the modern Commonwealth.
Explore the restored colonial capital, museums, major attractions, restaurants, and the Historic Triangle.
Atlantic beaches, Chesapeake Bay shoreline, parks, neighborhoods, dining, and coastal recreation.
Blue Ridge scenery, Skyline Drive, waterfalls, overlooks, wildlife, and extensive hiking.
Rail-trail routes and long-distance recreation corridors across the Commonwealth.
Roads, byways, mountain routes, and scenic corridors for exploring Virginia by car.
References
- ↑ Overview of the Physiography and Vegetation of Virginia, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-20.
- ↑ QuickFacts: Virginia, U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-20.
- ↑ Statistics, Emblems, and Symbols, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-20.
- ↑ Overview of the Physiography and Vegetation of Virginia, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-20.
- ↑ Regions in Virginia, Virginia is for Lovers. Retrieved 2026-10-20.
- ↑ Overview of the Physiography and Vegetation of Virginia, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-20.
- ↑ Constitution of Virginia — Article VII, Section 1, Virginia Law. Retrieved 2026-10-20.
- ↑ Statistics, Emblems, and Symbols, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-20.
- ↑ History and Facts on Virginia, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-20.
- ↑ Virginia State Timeline, United States Senate. Retrieved 2026-10-20.
- ↑ Constitution of Virginia — Article III, Section 1, Virginia Law. Retrieved 2026-10-20.
- ↑ Virginia Government, Virginia.gov. Retrieved 2026-10-20.
- ↑ Constitution of Virginia — Article VI, Section 1, Virginia Law. Retrieved 2026-10-20.
- ↑ Key Industries, Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Retrieved 2026-10-20.
- ↑ Secretary of Education, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-20.