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Overview
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.