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- Destinations
- North America
- United States of America
- Virginia
Virginia
Natives of the Commonwealth State of Virginia on America's east
coast are enormously proud of their local history and have put a
great deal of effort into preserving their historical landmarks,
homes and public buildings. The bountiful land of Virginia is where
America's first permanent English colonists put down roots,
founding the town of Jamestown in 1607. They stepped ashore
originally on a sandy beach at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, a large
estuary that became their gateway to the scenic hinterland.
Following the rivers inland, the early pioneers found rolling
hills and then the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains towering over
fertile valleys in the western part of the state. Today, 400 years
later, a great deal of Virginia's wilderness areas remain in their
untouched pristine condition, making it the perfect destination for
lovers of the outdoors as well as for those intent on discovering
some living history.
Virginia has not just preserved its historic relics, it actually
uses them as settings for living history displays. Historic parks
and even whole towns, like Williamsburg, act as time machines to
transport visitors to a bygone age, where bewigged gentlemen stroll
the streets and craftsmen ply their trades along cobblestone
streets.
The State has also preserved numerous battlefields and monuments
associated with the Civil War, in which Virginia played a central
role, with its capital, Richmond, being the seat of the
Confederacy. Many of Virginia's sons have played a vital role in
politics during the centuries: the state has produced eight United
States presidents, including George Washington and Thomas
Jefferson, whose homes are national treasures and open to the
public.
Even Virginia's popular seaside resort city of Virginia Beach is
steeped in history, so visitors who come simply to enjoy the
State's many miles of Atlantic Coast sandy beaches cannot help but
absorb some of the region's historic importance along with their
suntans.
Virginia's worth as an enjoyable destination can be proven by
the fact that tourism is a main source of state revenue, employing
more than 200,000 people and bringing in about $15-billion each
year.
Information & Facts
Climate
The Virginia climate is a coastal one, mild and humid, with the
four seasons experienced slightly differently in the different
regions. The Tidewater regions, where Virginia's major rivers drain
into the Chesapeake, are low-lying and experience more moderate
temperatures - with warm to hot summers and mild winters. As one
moves westward and altitudes increase, temperatures tend to drop
and particularly in the more mountainous regions and the
northeastern areas winters tend to be far colder, with heavy
snowfall in the Appalachians. Summers, however, tend to also be
mild and pleasant, and the average summer temperature statewide is
close to 80°F (about 26-27°C). Winter temperatures in January,
usually the coldest month, are usually about 30°F (-1°C).
Language
English is the most common language but Spanish is often
spoken in south-western states.
Money
The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into
100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are
widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely
accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid
hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).