Virginia's Regions Created by Tammy Davis

The Regions of Virginia Tidewater Region Piedmont Region Ridge & Valley Region Allegheny Plateau

Tidewater Region - stretches from north and south along Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay Eastern Shore - flat and sandy lowland (coastal plain) Tidewater Region Chesapeake Bay - divided by Chesapeake Bay into 2 main parts (Mainland and Eastern Shore) Mainland Atlantic Ocean

Tidewater Rivers and Wetland Four major rivers divide the Tidewater Region’s Mainland into peninsulas. Potomac River Rappahannock River York River James River The Tidewater’s most important example of wetland is the Great Dismal Swamp.

Tidewater Peninsulas The Tidewater is divided into four peninsulas: Eastern Shore Northern Neck Peninsula Middle Peninsula The Peninsula

Major Tidewater Cities Williamsburg-2nd Virginia capital Jamestown-1st permanent English settlement and 1st Virginia capital Newport News-ship building Norfolk-major U.S. naval base Virginia Beach-most populated in Virginia

Piedmont Region Tidewater Region - largest region - between Tidewater Region & Blue Ridge Mts. - means “foot of the mountain” Piedmont Region Blue Ridge Mountains - has gently, rolling hills Tidewater Region - a plateau (large, raised, level piece of land)

Fall Line - divides Piedmont Region from Tidewater Region - made of waterfalls and rapids Piedmont Region Tidewater Region

Piedmont Rivers There are four important rivers in the Piedmont Region. Potomac River Rappahannock River James River Roanoke River

Piedmont Fall Line Cities Fall Line The Fall Line was responsible for the growth of major cities. Piedmont Fall Line Cities Alexandria Fredericksburg Richmond (state capital) Fall Line Petersburg

Piedmont Gap Cities Blue Ridge Mountains Many cities grew up on roads leading to gaps through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Piedmont Gap Cities Blue Ridge Mountains Charlottesville Lynchburg Martinsville

Ridge & Valley egion Piedmont Region - located west of the Piedmont Region - made up of mountains and valleys egion Piedmont Region

The region is made of two main lines of mountains which are part of a larger mountain system called the Appalachian Mountains. Blue Ridge Mountains Ridges & Valleys Allegheny Mountains

The Great Valley The Great Valley of Virginia separates the Blue Ridge & Allegheny Mountains. The Great Valley of Virginia The Great Valley

Shenandoah Valley - largest in the Great Valley - located down its middle Massanutten Mountain and Shenandoah River Massanutten Mountain Shenandoah River Shenandoah Valley

Virginia's Natural Wonders Four types of natural wonders are found in the Ridge and Valley. caves/caverns + + Natural Chimneys + + + hot springs + + Natural Bridge

Ridge & Valley Cities Winchester - oldest Roanoke - region’s Staunton in region Roanoke - region’s largest Staunton

- known also as Appalachian Plateau - located in southwestern part of Virginia - no valleys as in Ridge and Valley Region - covered with forests Allegheny A plateau with an average elevation of 2,000 ft. Plateau

Virginia's most important mineral resource Allegheny's Coal Virginia's most important mineral resource Major coal deposits are mined in the Allegheny’s Southwest Virginia Coal Field.

Let's Review! Tidewater coal deposits Piedmont coastal plain and Match the region with its geographic feature. Tidewater coal deposits Piedmont coastal plain and Chesapeake Bay Ridge & Valley rolling hills, rapids, and Fall Line Allegheny Plateau mountains, valleys, and caves

Resources Gordon, Deanna and Peters, Norma. Virginia USA, Silver Burdett Ginn, Needham, Maryland, 1997. Criswell, Sara. Virginia, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1991. Marsh, Carole. Virginia Experience, Gallopade International, 1999.