About Virginia

With such extremes as the waves of the Atlantic Ocean to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia is a study in contrasts. Nicknamed “Old Dominion,” Virginia is named for Elizabeth I and was one of the earliest places colonized in the nation. With a rich and unique history, Virginia hearkens back to centuries long gone while still remaining a cornerstone of modern American society.

Virginia has the country’s highest percentage of workers employed in the high tech industry, and the many federal departments located in the state help encourage economic growth. The state’s many prestigious universities, like the University of Virginia, College of William and Mary, Virginia Tech, James Madison University and Virginia Commonwealth University, further enhance this elite workforce. Between the industries that thrive and the schools that teach in the state, Virginia is one of the most educated states in America.

With its rich history, the state has a wide variety of cultural attractions, from museums commemorating early Native American tribes to sites memorializing the lives of soldiers who served their country in various wars. Virginia also is the birthplace or launching site to a number of musical acts, past and present, including Ella Fitzgerald, Timbaland, the Carter Family and Patsy Cline. At annual celebrations including the Blue Ridge Theatre Festival and the Virginia Film Festival, it’s possible to indulge in the state’s artistic side while destinations like Arlington National Cemetery, George Washington Memorial Parkway and Monument Avenue give a glimpse at the influences that have shaped and continue to influence Virginia’s culture.