Virginia is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. The state population is over eight million. Its geography and climate are shaped by the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay, which are home to much of its flora and fauna. The area's history begins with several indigenous groups, including the Powhatan. In May 1607 the London Company established the Colony of Virginia as the first permanent New World English colony. Virginia was one of the Thirteen Colonies involved in the American Revolution. During the American Civil War, Virginia joined the Confederate States of America, which named Richmond its capital, and the state of West Virginia separated. The Virginia General Assembly is the oldest legislature in the Americas, and the state is unique for prohibiting governors from serving consecutive terms. Virginia's economy is diversified with agriculture in regions like the Shenandoah Valley, federal agencies in Northern Virginia, and military facilities in Hampton Roads. The growth of the media and technology sectors have made computer chips the leading export, with the industry based on the strength of Virginia's public schools and universities.
Read the rest of this article: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia> _______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries: 1264: Second Barons' War: King Henry III was defeated at the Battle of Lewes and forced to sign the Mise of Lewes, making Simon de Montfort the de facto ruler of England. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mise_of_Lewes> 1868: Boshin War: Troops of the Tokugawa shogunate withdrew from the Battle of Utsunomiya Castle and retreated north towards Nikkō and Aizu. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Utsunomiya_Castle> 1951: Trains ran on the Talyllyn Railway in Wales for the first time since its preservation, making it the first railway in the world to be operated by volunteers. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talyllyn_Railway> 1955: Cold War: Eight Eastern Bloc countries signed a mutual defense treaty to establish the Warsaw Pact. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Pact> 1973: The NASA space station Skylab was launched from Cape Canaveral. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skylab> _____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day: dénouement (n): The final revelation of a solution to a complicated mystery or difficulty, especially as part of a dramatic plot <http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/d%C3%A9nouement> ___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day: Is it not the interest of the human race, that every one should be so taught and placed, that he would find his highest enjoyment to arise from the continued practice of doing all in his power to promote the well-being, and happiness, of every man, woman, and child, without regard to their class, sect, party, country or colour? --Robert Owen <http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Robert_Owen> _______________________________________________ Wikipedia Daily Article mailing list. To unsubscribe, visit: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/daily-article-l Questions or comments? Contact [email protected]
