STATE INFORMATION

The state of West Virginia was born out of the Civil War, created from the western part of the state of Virginia. It became the 35th state on June 20, 1863, now the state holiday.

West Virginia covers 24,282 square miles and has a population of 1,808,344 (2000 census).

Official State......
motto - Montani Semper Liberi, "Mountaineers
are always free"
flower - rhododendron tree - sugar maple
bird - cardinal animal - black bear
fruit - apple fish - brook trout
colors - old gold and blue

Capital - Charleston, chosen by popular vote in 1877. The Capital building, on the banks of the Kanawha River, boasts the largest capitol dome in the U.S. It was designed by Cass Gilbert.

The West Virginia Constitution is based on that of the United States. It establishes three branches of government.

The governor is elected for a four-year term; may serve an unlimited number of terms but no more than two in succession. Current Governor: Joseph Manchin, State Capitol Complex, 1900 Kanawha Blvd, East, Charleston, WV 25305; 1-888-438-2731; e-mail: Governor@state.wv.us

Current State Senators: 15th District: Clark Barnes at cbarnes@mail.wvnet.edu & Walt Helmick at whelmick@mail.wvnet.edu

House of Delegates/51st District: Daryl Cowles at dcowles@mail.wvnet.edu & 52nd District: Craig Blair at cblair@mail.wvnet.edu

The legislature is divided into a Senate and House of Delegates. Each of 17 senatorial districts elects two senators for six-year terms. Each delegate district elects delegates for two-year terms, the number based on population. The legislature has one 60-day session annually.
All judicial officers are elected.

Fedral Officials:

U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, 311 Hart Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510. 202-224-3954.

U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, Regional Office at Suite 121, Martinsburg Federal Building, 225 West King Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401. 304-262-9285.

Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, Regional office at 300 Foxcroft Avenue, Suite 102, Martinsburg, WV 25401. 304-264-8810.

West Virginia has the highest average altitude (1500') of any state east of the Mississippi. Highest altitude - 4860' at Spruce Knob in Pendleton County; lowest is Harpers Ferry - 247' .

Geographical Center of State- Braxton County

1-800-CALL WVA is your personal toll-free connection to information about travel in West Virginia. Ask about bed & breakfast inns, camping, fall foliage tours, highway maps, lodging, skiing, state parks, whitewater rafting.... any travel related topic. Reservations for state parks and other attractions may be made through this number.

West Virginia is located in the Eastern Standard Time Zone and observes Daylight Savings Time.

Speed Limit: Interstate speed limit is 65 unless otherwise posted.

WV Division of Highways provides roadside assistance to stranded motorists on all interstate & Appalachian corridor routes; call toll free 1-888-359-3683 or *SP (cellular).

Child Restraint Law: All children under the age of three years must be secured in an approved child safety restraint seat. All other children under the age of nine years must be secured by a seat belt. Adults are also required to wear a seat belt.