West Virginia
The Mountain State
Climate
Cool and green, with warm summers and cold snowy winters in the hills. Average highs are about 84F (29C) in summer and 42F (6C) in winter, with lots of snow in the mountains.
Main industries
Known for coal mining and natural gas, plus chemical factories, forestry, and outdoor tourism like white-water rafting.
Top places for tourists
The New River Gorge National Park with its famous bridge, white-water rafting on wild rivers, and hiking and skiing in the Allegheny Mountains.
Places of interest
The New River Gorge Bridge, one of the longest steel arch bridges; the historic town of Harpers Ferry; and the deep, green mountain forests all around.
A little history
West Virginia broke away from Virginia during the Civil War and became the 35th state in 1863, the only state formed by splitting from another during that war.
Fun fact
West Virginia is one of the most mountainous states, and once a year people jump off the New River Gorge Bridge with parachutes on Bridge Day.