Virginia The state motto is “Virginia is for Lovers” By: ÉVISZ – László Balogh, Marcell böszörményi, Gábor Horváth, Patrik Pósán

Called as the ’mother of presidents’ because eight American presidents were born here, like: Also called the ’mother of states’ because some territories of several states originally were parts of Virginia. George Washington Thomas Jefferson James Madison James Monroe William Henry Harrison John Tyler Zachary Taylor Woodrow Wilson Kentucky Indiana Illinois Western-Virginia Ohio

Information Rank among the states Territory 35th Population 12th Capital city: Richmond Largest city: Virginia Beach Governor: Terry McAuliffe (D) Official language: English Population: 8,382,993  Density: 69,03 people/km² Area: 110,785.67 km2 Water: 7,4% One of the founding members of the United States. Located in the south-east of the USA, in the historic south Named after Queen Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen. The 10th state joined to the Union. (25/June/1788) One of the four states whose form is commonwealth. Rank among the states Territory 35th Population 12th Density 14th The highest point is 1746m The lowest point is 0m The general height is 290m

History of Virginia By documentation the first Spanish explorers reached the area in the 1500s. Sir Walter Raleigh began permanent European settlement in Jamestown in 1607. The colony was a commercial venture sponsored by London businessmen. Tobacco emerged as a profitable export. It was grown on plantations using servants for the hand labor. After 1662, the colony turned black slavery into a hereditary racial cast. By 1750, the primary cultivators of the crop were West African slaves. The plantations thrived because of the high demand for tobacco. Warfare with the Virginia Indian nations had been in the 17th century. After 1700 there was continued conflict with natives east of the Alleghenies, especially in the French and Indian War (1754-1763)

Traditions Festivals The State Fair of Virginia is at the Richmond International Raceway every September. The September Neptune Festival in Virginia Beach celebrates the city, the waterfront and regional artists. Norfolk's Harborfest takes place in June, features boat racing and air shows. Fairfax County sponsors Celebrate Fairfax with traditional music performances. The Virginia Lake Festival is held during the third weekend in July in Clarksville. In Amherst they celebrate Uncle Billy's Day . On the Eastern Shore island of Chincoteague the annual Pony Swim & Auction of feral Chincoteague ponies are held at the end of July. The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is a six-day festival is organised annually in Winchester.

Culture Architecture Fine arts Music Typical of American colonial architecture Neoclassical architecture style Fine arts The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is a state-founded museum with the largest collection of Fabergé eggs Music Virginia has launched many award-winning traditional music artists as well as internationally musicians: Ralph Stanley, Patsy Cline, The Statler Brothers The Carter Family Ella Fitzgerald Hip hop and Rhythm and blues acts like Missy Elliott, Timbaland,The Neptunes, Chris Brown, and Clipse hail from the commonwealth. Culture

Hanging out Weekly Jazz performers at Havana Nights, nightly comedy acts at Funny Bone Comedy Club or the restaurants can fill the gaps in your social schedule. Events and entertainment in Virginia Beach are sure to impress. Fireworks on the fourth of July, restaurants impress even the toughest foodie critic. An illuminating holiday parade and year-round festivals that celebrate music, wine, and old fashioned family fun all make Virginia Beach the best vacation destination any time of year.