West Virginia is a mountainous state in the Appalachian region of the eastern United States, bordered by Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio. Charleston is its capital and largest city. Known as the Mountain State, it is associated with coal mining, forested hills, winding rivers and outdoor recreation. It became a state in 1863 during the Civil War.
Its communities include small towns, rural settlements and regional centers such as Huntington and Morgantown. Appalachian music, crafts and local festivals shape cultural life. Health care, education, energy, manufacturing and tourism support the economy. Notable destinations include New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Harpers Ferry and the state Capitol in Charleston.
Residents commonly focus on jobs, economic diversification, access to health care and addiction treatment. Broadband availability, road and bridge maintenance, school funding and flood preparedness are also important civic issues, alongside mine reclamation, clean water and balancing energy development with environmental protection.