Virginia, was named in honor of England’s “Virgin Queen,” Elizabeth I. The state is famous for presidential homes, the Arlington Military Cemetery and Chincoteague Ponies.
Here are few quick facts about Virginia:
- State capital – Richmond
- State motto of Virginia – Sic Semper Tyrannis (“Thus Always to Tyrants”)
- State song – “Carry Me Back to Old Virginia”
- Nick names – Old Dominion; Mother of Presidents; Mother of States; Mother of Statesmen; Cavalier State
- State insect – Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
- State bird – Northern Cardinal
- State tree – American Dogwood
- State flower – American Dogwood
- State dog – American Foxhound
- State Fish – Brook Trout
Interesting facts about Virginia:
- Four of the first five Americans Presidents were Virginians. They are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe.
- About ¼ of Virginia’s work force work for the U.S. government. Tobacco being the cash crop of Virginia, many earn their living from the tobacco industry.
- Agriculture (peanuts, corn, poultry, sweet potatoes), tourism and mining are the state’s major industries.
- Virginia holds credit for being home to the Atlantic Fleet of the U.S. Navy.
- Pentagon in Virginia is the world’s largest office building.
- Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home, is in Virginia.
- The second oldest college of the U.S., The College of William and Mary is in Williamsburg, Virginia.
- Singer Ella Fitzgerald, tennis star Arthur Ashe, actresses Sandra Bullock and Shirley MacLaine, civil rights leader Curtis W. Harris, authors Willa Cather and Tom Wolfe are some famous Virginians.
- Virginia, which is located near the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay, is the best place to eat seafood. The state is well known for fresh clams, oysters, crab and flounder.
Must see places in Virginia:
- Virginia Beach
- Arlington National Cemetery
- Busch Gardens
- Colonial Williamsburg
- The Natural Bridge
- Manassas National Battlefield Park
- Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
- Shenandoah National Park/Skyline Drive
- George Washington’s Mount Vernon
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