Capital: Charleston State abbreviation/Postal code: W.Va./WV Governor: Joe Manchin III, D (to Jan. 2009) Lt. Governor/Senate President: Earl Ray Tomblin, D (to Jan. 2009) Senators: Robert C. Byrd, D (to Jan. 2013); John D. “Jay” Rockefeller IV, D (to Jan. 2009) U.S. Representatives: 3 Historical biographies of Congressional members Secy. of State: Betty Ireland (to Jan. 2009) Treasurer: John D. Perdue, D (to Jan. 2009) Atty. General: Darrell V. McGraw, Jr., D (to Jan. 2009) Entered Union (rank): June 20, 1863 (35) Present constitution adopted: 1872 Motto: Montani semper liberi (Mountaineers are always free) State symbols: | flower | rhododendron (1903) | | tree | sugar maple (1949) | | bird | cardinal (1949) | | animal | black bear (1973) | | colors | blue and gold (official) (1863) | | songs | “West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home,” “The West Virginia Hills,” and “This Is My West Virginia” (adopted by Legislature in 1947, 1961, and 1963 as official state songs) |
Nickname: Mountain State Origin of name: In honor of Elizabeth, “Virgin Queen” of England 10 largest cities (2005 est.): 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 Land area: 24,077 sq mi. (62,359 sq km) Geographic center: In Braxton Co., 4 mi. E of Sutton Number of counties: 55 Largest county by population and area: Kanawha, 193,559 (2005); Randolph, 1,040 sq mi. State forests: 9 (79,502 ac.) State parks: 37 (74,508 ac.) Residents: West Virginian 2005 resident population est.: 1,816,856 2000 resident census population (rank): 1,808,344 (37). Male: 879,170 (48.6%); Female: 929,174 (51.4%). 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%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 77.7; 65 and over: 15.3; median age: 38.9. See additional census data Area codes Tourism office |
