West Virginia...
The people of early Virginia did not agree with Virginia’s secession from the United States and in 1861 the people of that northwest area decided to form its own state and remain as part of the Union. This is how it earned the name West Virginia. Virginia had to first succumb to the requirements of the emancipation of slaves before it could officially be accepted into the Union in 1863. The motto of the state is even that “Mountaineers are always free.” West Virginia’s nickname is the “Mountain State” and it is rightfully so with an altitude that is over 1,500 feet above sea level. It is the highest point out of all of the stated to the east of the Mississippi River.

West Virginia had been the leader in the production of coal for a long time but many people left the industry to find better jobs because of the danger involved. However, that has been reversed and once again, coal is a major industry in West Virginia. The capital of West Virginia is part of the Appalachia region of the United States and the capital and largest city is Charleston. The big rhododendron is the state flower and the state tree is the sugar maple tree.