West Virginia SVG is a state in the east of the USA, one of the so-called South Atlantic states (the only state in this group with no access to the Atlantic Ocean). The population in 2013 was 1,854,304 (38th place in the United States). The capital and largest city is Charleston. Other major cities are Huntington, Wheeling and Morgantown.
The official nickname is “Mountain State”. The motto: Montani semper liberi.
Geography and climate
The area of the state is 62 755 km² (41st place among the states). West Virginia SVG borders Pennsylvania in the north, Maryland and Virginia in the east, and Kentucky and Ohio in the west. West Virginia is located in the Appalachian system. The average altitude above sea level is 457 m, with the lowest altitude of 75 m (near Harpers-Ferry) and the highest point – Mount Spruce-Nob (1482 m). West Virginia is located in two physiographic areas: the Apalach plateau (about 5/6 of the territory) and the Apalach Ridge Valley, including the Blue Ridge and the Apalach Valley. The largest rivers in the state are the Kanova, Potomac, Monongahila and New River. About 80% of the state territory is covered by forests.
The climate is continental, moderately humid and floods are not uncommon.
West Virginia SVG Geology
For about 400 million years the territory of West Virginia has been in a long oceanic depression or geosynclinal, which stretches from New Brunswick to Alabama, on the site of the modern Appalachian. Ocean care left salt (sea and stone) in the west of the state and limestone in the east on the territory of the deposit. To the east of the depression were the Old Appalachians, which were washed away and led to the overlaying and lifting of the mountain layers. Before the final formation, much of West Virginia was swamped, which led to the formation of rich coal deposits. About 7 million years ago, due to erosion, the state became completely flat. At the beginning of the glacial period (about a million years ago), rivers and erosion formed the existing landscape of West Virginia. During the glacial period that ended about 10,000 years ago, the Ohio Valley was stepped on by glaciers, which significantly affected the state’s water system.
West Virginia SVG Economy
The state has significant reserves of coal, natural gas, oil, salt and other minerals, which determines its development. The chemical industry, based on the processing of minerals, is developed. Agriculture (animal husbandry, poultry farming, cultivation of apples, peaches, corn, tobacco) is well developed. However, the number of farms has been decreasing lately. Tourism plays a significant role in the economy.