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West Virginia, USA

West Virginia is a state located in the east-central part of the United States. It is surrounded by Pennsylvania to the north, Maryland and Virginia to the east, Kentucky to the southwest, and Ohio to the northwest. West Virginia has an area of 24,230 square miles (62,756 sq km) and a population of 1,793,716 as of 2022 est., with the capital being Charleston.

The Ohio River forms a large section of the upper western boundary, while the Potomac River forms a section of the northern boundary. Several major rivers also cross through the state such as the Great Kanawha, Little Kanawha, Monongahela, and Shenandoah rivers. The terrain of West Virginia is mostly rugged due to it being crossed by the Appalachian Mountains, with the highest elevation being Spruce Knob at 4,861 ft (1,482 m).

In 1863, West Virginia was admitted to the union as the 35th state. Its industrial emergence began in the 1870s when its natural resources, including coal and gas, contributed to the growth of the United States. In the 20th century, recreation and tourism became an increasingly important part of the state’s economy.

West Virginia's nickname is the Mountain State and its motto is "Montani Semper Liberi" ("Mountaineers Are Always Free"). Its state bird is the Northern Cardinal and its state flower is the Big Rhododendron. Its three official state songs are “The West Virginia Hills", “This Is My West Virginia", and “West Virginia My Home Sweet Home". The state has three seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and it is in the Eastern Time Zone (GMT −5 hours).