West Virginia

West Virginia, known as The Mountain State, is a state of the United States. West Virginia broke away from Virginia during the American Civil War (1861-1865) and was admitted to the Union as a separate state on June 20, 1863.

Related Topics:
State - United States - Virginia - American Civil War

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The Census Bureau considers West Virginia part of the South, because of the state being below the Mason-Dixon Line. While the USGS considers it a Mid-Atlantic state. Many in the state's Northern Panhandle, with the nothernmost point of the state about the same latitude as central New Jersey, feel a greater affinity for Pittsburgh, while those in the Eastern Panhandle feel a greater connection with the Washington, D.C. suburbs in western Maryland and Virginia. Lastly, southern West Virginia, in which many West Virginian's consider themselves southern, is less than 100 miles north of Tennessee and North Carolina. The state is noted for its coal mining heritage, and union organizing mine wars in particular.

Related Topics:
Census Bureau - South - Mason-Dixon Line - USGS - Mid-Atlantic - Northern Panhandle - New Jersey - Pittsburgh - Eastern Panhandle - Washington, D.C. - Maryland - Virginia - Southern - Tennessee - North Carolina - Coal

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The state has a rich, stark beauty reflecting its topography. Tourist sites include the New River Gorge Bridge (where on Bridge Day the federal government, which controls the landing site, allows BASE jumping http://www.wvbridgeday.com/bridge-day-BASE-jumping.php from the bridge), as well as many national and state parks. It is also home to the Green Bank Telescope at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

Related Topics:
New River Gorge Bridge - BASE jumping - Green Bank Telescope - National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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The U.S. Navy has named a series of ships USS West Virginia in honor of this state.

Related Topics:
U.S. Navy - USS ''West Virginia''

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