West Virginia

West Virginia (pronunciation: /wɛst vərˈdʒɪniə/) is a state located in the Appalachian region of the Southern United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the north, and Maryland to the northeast.

Etymology

The name "West Virginia" was chosen to honor Queen Elizabeth I of England, who was often referred to as the "Virgin Queen." The prefix "West" was added when the state was formed from the western counties of Virginia during the American Civil War.

Related Terms

Appalachian Region: A geographic area in the Eastern United States that stretches from the Southern Tier of New York to northern Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia.
Southern United States: A region of the United States of America.
American Civil War: A civil war in the United States from 1861 to 1865, fought between northern states loyal to the Union and southern states that seceded to form the Confederate States of America.
Virginia: A state in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States located between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains.
Kentucky: A state located in the east south-central region of the United States.
Ohio: A state in the East North Central region of the Midwestern United States.
Pennsylvania: A state in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, and Appalachian regions of the United States.
Maryland: A state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west.