Everything you should know when Moving to West Virginia
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Named in honor of Elizabeth, “Virgin Queen” of England, West Virginia today is ranked as the 37th Smartest State* in America. As if this was not a good enough reason for you to relocate to the State, you will be pleased to know that more than a million acres have been set aside in 37 state parks and recreation areas and in 9 state forests and 2 national forests, to welcome visitors and tourists for their relaxation and recreation in this mountainous state.
WV Movers, a professional moving company of repute is ready to shift you and your family or office to this wondrous state, visited by millions every year. Our website is a one-stop shop where you can access all relocation related information on West Virginia. These include: WV moving companies, WV moving quotes, West Virginia storage companies, WV truck rentals, WV auto moving, West Virginia packing supplies and many more.
Our business partners, whose advertisements you find on this website can offer guaranteed professional services which will meet with your complete satisfaction. We are never satisfied till you are satisfied. Our representatives as well as our nation-wide network of branch offices will stand by you throughout the process of relocation. We guarantee a quality of customer service which you will find hard to believe.
To make you more familiar with the state, its historical background and demographics, we have gathered a bunch of information which you will find both informative and educative.
West Virginia’s early history from 1609 until 1863 is largely shared with Virginia, of which it was a part until Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861. West Virginia was granted statehood in 1863. Coal, a mineral asset that would figure significantly in West Virginia’s history, was discovered in 1742. Other important natural resources are oil, natural gas, and hardwood forests, which cover about 75% of the state’s area. The state’s rapid industrial expansion began in the 1870s, drawing thousands of European immigrants and African Americans into the region.
Today, the state ranks second in total coal production, with about 15% of the U.S. total. It is also a leader in steel, glass, aluminum, and chemical manufactures. Major agricultural commodities are poultry and eggs, dairy products, and apples.
Tourism is increasingly popular in mountainous West Virginia. Major points of interest include Harpers Ferry and New River Gorge National River, The Greenbrier and Berkeley Springs resorts, the scenic railroad at Cass, and the historic homes in the Eastern Panhandle.
Here are a few quick facts about West Virginia:
Capital: Charleston
Population: 1,816,856
Racial break-up: White: 1,718,777 (95.0%); Black: 57,232 (3.2%); American Indian: 3,606 (0.2%); Asian: 9,434 (0.5%); other race: 3,107 (0.2%); Two or more races: 15,788 (0.9%); Hispanic/Latino: 12,279 (0.7%).
Most of the glass marbles in America are made in West Virginia.
Motto: Montani semper liberi (Mountaineers are always free)
State symbols:
Flower – rhododendron
Tree – sugar maple
Bird – cardinal
Animal – black bear
Colors – blue and gold (official)
Nickname: Mountain State
Origin of name: In honor of Elizabeth, “Virgin Queen” of England
10 largest cities: Charleston, 51,176; Huntington, 49,198; Parkersburg, 32,020; Wheeling, 29,639; Morgantown, 28,292; Weirton, 19,544; Fairmont, 19,049; Beckley, 16,936; Clarksburg, 16,439; Martinsburg, 15,996
State forests: 9 (79,502 ac.)
State parks: 37 (74,508 ac.)
Residents are called: West Virginian
* The smartest State designation is awarded on the basis of 21 factors selected from Morgan Quitno’s Annual Reference Book, Education State Rankings, 2006-2007. Rates for each of the 21 factors were processed through a formula that measures how a state compares to the national average for a given category. The end result is that the farther below the national average a state’s education ranking is, the lower and less smart it ranks. The farther above the national average, the higher and smarter a state ranks.