| |||
| State of Virginia | |||
| Capital | Richmond | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents | 8.382.993 (2015) | ||
| surface | 110,862 km² | ||
| Post Code | unknown | ||
no postcode on Wikidata:  | |||
| prefix | 276, 434, 540, 571, 703, 757, 804 | ||
| no area code on Wikidata: | |||
| Time zone | Eastern Standard Time (Summer: UTC -4 (CET-5) Winter: UTC -5) | ||
| website | www.virginia.gov/ | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | |||
| location | |||
 | |||
Virginia is a state in the region Southern states in the United States of America. Virginia borders to the north Maryland and Washington, D.C., in the east to the Atlantic, in the south to North Carolina and Tennessee as well as in the west Kentucky and West Virginia.
Regions and places
Other goals
- Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. Mountain pass in the Appalachian Mountains (in the border area of Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee), which was a main route for settlers into the interior of North America.
- Grayson Highlands State Park, at rugby. State Park in western Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains overlooking the state's highest peak, Mount Rogers (1,746 m).
- Shenandoah National Park. National park in the Appalachian Mountains with waterfalls, one Natural Bridge and a stalactite cave. The Skyline Drive / Blue Ridge Parkway, a winding high road that connects Front Royal, north of the park, over the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains with Roanoke and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina connects is considered the most beautiful street in Virginia.
background
Jamestown, in the southwest of what is now Williamsburg, was the first place on the North American continent to be successfully used by Europeans - i.e. H. without being killed or displaced by the indigenous people - was settled. That was in 1607. More British foundations followed, and the colony, which the explorer and navigator Walter Raleigh had named in honor of the British Queen in 1584, began to flourish after John Rolfe planted the first tobacco plants here in 1612. The plant thrived splendidly in the hot, humid climate, and after the planters had first used Indians and then debt servants embarked from Europe for the hard work, they turned to African slaves from 1676 onwards. Since slaves had never been brought directly from Africa to the North American mainland until then, these planters became the originators of the notorious "Atlantic triangular trade". Tobacco was so fabulously sold on the world market that it was temporarily recognized as a means of payment in Virginia. Virginia tobacco growers became not only rich but also powerful. Some famous Americans come from such families as B. the early US Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe. As early as the last quarter of the 18th century, however, the tobacco industry declined because the soil was depleted and after the founding of the United States (1776) most of the slaves were carried off to the emerging cotton plantations in the deep south.
For those interested in British colonial history and the origins of North American slavery, there is no more suitable destination. The small town of Jamestown was the scene of the first successful settlement of the North American mainland by European colonists in 1607. One still remembers today National Historic Park of the arrival of these British people. The colony, named in honor of the British Queen Elizabeth I, owed its rise to the insatiable demand of the Europeans for the luxurious luxury product tobacco, which the enterprising colonists soon grew. This economy really took off when the planters began using slaves for work, which they bought directly from Africa. A trip to Virginia is therefore hardly complete without a visit to one of the many preserved plantations that are now often run as museums.
Virginia is also an attraction for beach holidaymakers who are thirsty for action and who not only lie in the sun, but also like to swim. B. watch dolphins in the wild, go diving, jet skiing or parachuting (Virginia Beach), and for motorcyclists who find one of the most exhilarating high-altitude roads in the American East in Shenandoah National Park. In addition, Virginia offers the second largest wine-growing region east of the Rocky Mountains, in which not only wine lovers, but gourmets of all kinds get their money's worth.
getting there
The most comfortable flight connections to Virginia lead from London Heathrow (LHR) to Washington Dulles (IAD) or via Detroit (DTW) to Richmond (RIC) or Norfolk (ORF). There are also direct flights to Charlottesville (CHO) and Roanoke (ROA) from Detroit. The Newport News / Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) is out of the question for an arrival, because there are currently no scheduled flights. There are other regional airports in Lynchburg (LYH) and Stafford.
Lorton, southwest of Alexandria, is the northern stopping point of the Amtrak-Line Auto Trainwho have favourited Virginia directly with no intermediate stops Florida connects. The Auto Train is the only motorail train in the country. Additional Amtrak train stations are in Washington (D.C.), Alexandria, Quantico, Fredericksburg, Richmond, Petersburg, Springfield, Woodbridge, Ashland, Williamsburg and Newport News.
The national long-distance bus company Greyhound drives to the following stations in Virginia: Charlottesville, Danville, Emporia, Exmore, Farmville, Fredericksburg, Hampton, Lynchburg, Marion, Newport News, Norfolk, Oak Hall, Petersburg, Richmond, Roanoke, South Boston, South Hill, Springfield, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, Woodbridge and Wytheville.
mobility
Like almost everywhere in the USA, you can hardly do without your own car in Virginia.
Tourist Attractions
Most of Virginia's major attractions are in the Coastal region (please refer There). In the inland are among others. the following attractions can be found:
Historic sites
- Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, east of Lynchburg. Park commemorating the Northern Virginia Army surrender to the American Civil War.
- Booker T. Washington National Monument. The birthplace of the former slave and civil rights activist Booker T. Washington (1856-1915).
- Monticello, near Charlottesville. The magnificent country residence of the author of the American Declaration of Independence and 3rd US President Thomas Jefferson. The building, which was constructed in the neoclassical style from 1768, can be seen on the reverse of the American 5 cent coins.
Museums
Former plantations
- Cedar Creek and Bell Grove National Historic Park, Middletown, west of Washington, D. C.
- Scotchtown Plantation, Beaverdam, between Richmond and Washington, D. C.
Zoos
- Virginia Safari Park, Natural Bridge, northeast of Roanoke. Large, only opened in 2000 safari park with predominantly African animals, which can only be driven through by car or bus.
activities
- → See also Amusement Parks in Virginia (VA)
theatre
Most of Virginia's major and interesting theaters and concert halls are in the Coastal region (please refer There). Further inland you can find:
- American Shakespeare Center, 10 S Market St, Staunton. Renowned Shakespeare ensemble, whose theater is the world's only replica of the famous Londoner Blackfriars Theater the renaissance period is.
- Barter Theater, Abingdon, northeast of Bristol. Traditional small theater in which many of today's famous actors - such as Gregory Peck, Ernest Borgnine or Kevin Spacey - appeared at the beginning of their careers.
shop
In the greater Washington, D.C. are some of the largest shopping malls in the state.
The four very large supermarkets of the regional chain in Virginia are interesting for self-caterers and expats who are curious about culinary delights Lotte Plazawho specialize entirely in imported food from the countries of South and East Asia.
kitchen
Virginia is famous for its regional cuisine that is definitely not to be missed. Of course, these specialties cannot be found in fast food chains or supermarkets, but only in independently run restaurants and specialty shops, whose addresses must be carefully researched.
Typical delicacies of the coastal region of Virginia are obviously fish and seafood such as flounder, oysters, clams and crabs. You should also try the local peanuts and ham specialties around Greater Norfolk.
Brunswick County, southwest of Richmond, is known for its hearty stews. The traditional cuisine of the settlers - with dishes like corn bread with beans, pumpkin, game, and wild turkey - has been preserved here and there in the Appalachians. The Shenandoah Valley is a major apple and peach growing area and a center of poultry farming. Southern Piedmont is a good address to Comfort food enjoy traditional African American cuisine such as fried chicken and black peas (black Eyed Peas).
Wine is grown in all parts of the state, but especially in the north and the Appalachian Mountains. After California, New York, Oregon and Washington State, Virginia is the most important wine-growing region in the United States. There are more than 140 wineries here, all of which invite you to wine tasting and often run their own, mostly quite good, restaurants. The demand for gourmet products is particularly high in northern Virginia. Typical specialties of this part of the country are kitchen herbs, shiitake mushrooms, smoked trout and the horseshoe-shaped ones Shortbread cookies.[1]
nightlife
security
climate
The climate in Virginia is subtropical and humid, in the northern mountainous country moderately humid. On the coast and in the Piedmont, the temperatures are most pleasant in spring and autumn, in July the maximum daily temperature on the coast averages 30 ° C. The sea reaches temperatures of over 20 ° C from June to September. Virginia winters are mostly mild with moderate snowfall.[2]
In contrast to winter in Germany, winter in Virginia is the dry season. Relative humidity of up to 25% are the rule. In January and February there is sometimes a weather constellation in which cold and dry air masses from Canada meet warm and humid air masses from the Gulf of Mexico via Virginia. Then there is heavy snowfall for a short time that can reach heights of up to 30 cm and more. Virginia winters are blessed with blue skies most of the time.
trips
- Washington, D.C., The capital of the United States and home to a number of world-class museums
- Worthwhile destinations in the neighboring south North Carolina include:
- Tobacco Farm Life Museum. The Tobacco Farm Life Museum in Kenly.
- Biltmore Estate. The imposing Biltmore Estate in Asheville.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On the border of North Carolina and Tennessee.
Trips to the Appalachian Mountains are always very interesting. Especially in Shennadoah National Park, through which the Appalachian Trail also goes. You're in the wild here. Since it is not allowed to hunt there and any use of weapons is prohibited, the animal world is sometimes very trusting. This also applies to bears. Encounters with black bears can occur on hikes. It is advisable to ask park rangers if you are inexperienced and plan a longer hike.
An RV (Recreational Vehicle) is a particularly suitable way of traveling in the United States. It is very pleasant to take the "house" on four wheels (sometimes six or eight) with you and explore the country. RV's are usually equipped with everything a normal household needs, including a washing machine that doubles as a dryer. At least in Virginia, RVs that can easily reach bus size do not require a special driver's license. Even "coaches" that are 13 meters (40 feet) long are referred to as "oversized family cars" here in Virginia. However, this only applies to private and not to commercial use. If you want to move such a large vehicle, you should have the appropriate experience. The local campsites are equipped accordingly and offer both electricity and water connection. So-called "dumping stations" are available for the wastewater either directly on the site or centrally on the campsite. All RV's are air-conditioned and the "Motorhomes" also have their own generator for an independent power supply.
Footnotes
literature
German
- Alex Pinck: DuMont Travel Paperback Washington D.C. - Maryland - Virginia, DuMont, 2007, ISBN 3770153421
English
- Judy Colbert: Virginia Off the Beaten Path, 10th: A Guide to Unique Places, GPP Travel, 2008, ISBN 0762748818
- Bill Goodwin: Frommer's Virginia, Wiley & Sons, 2008, ISBN 0470175915
- Bruce Sloane: Scenic Driving Virginia, Falcon 1999, ISBN 1560447311
- Julian Smith: Moon Handbooks Virginia: Including Washington, D.C: Including Washington D.C., Avalon Travel, 2008, ISBN 1598800116
- Andrea Sutcliffe: Touring the Shenandoah Valley Backroads, John F. Blair, 1999, ISBN 0895871815
- George Zavatsky: Kids Love Virginia: A Family Travel Guide to Exploring "Kid-Tested" Places in Virginia ... Year Round!, Kids Love, 2008, ISBN 0977443477
Road atlas
- Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer, DeLorme, 2005 (recommended standard work)
