Welcome to the Mountain State, where the scenery is rugged, the people are friendly, and the history is rich. West Virginia is a state full of surprises and fascinating tales, from the home of the Mothman to the site of the nation’s first Mother’s Day celebration. Whether you’re a fan of outdoor adventures, folklore, or just interesting-trivia, there’s something for everyone in West Virginia. So, grab a pepperoni roll, and let’s discover 25 amazing West Virginia facts that will make you say, “Wow, I had no idea!”
1-5 Fun Facts about West Virginia
1. West Virginia, the 10th smallest state in the US, covers a total area of 24,230 mi² (62,755 km²).
2. To put that into perspective, it’s slightly larger than Norway but a tad smaller than Latvia.
3. Despite its small size, West Virginia is home to 1.76 million residents.
4. It’s capital and largest city, Charleston, has a population of around 48,000 (and about 255,000 in the metropolitan area).
5. The official state motto of West Virginia, “Montani Semper Liberi,” translates to “Mountaineers are Always Free” in Latin.
6-10 Interesting Facts about West Virginia
6. West Virginia is the only state in the US to have formed as a result of the Civil War. It was originally part of Virginia but broke away and was admitted to the Union in 1863 as a separate state.
7. The black bear is the official state animal of West Virginia, which it shares with New Mexico, Louisiana, and Alabama. So, if you’re a fan of these majestic creatures, West Virginia might be the place for you.
Read More: 20 Mind-Blowing Facts About Bears That You Probably Didn’t Know
8. Speaking of natural beauty, West Virginia is covered in lush green forests, with almost 75% of the state covered in trees. It’s a paradise for nature lovers, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, and exploring.
9. Finally, West Virginia is also known for its coal production, accounting for 15% of the country’s total coal output. So, if you’re interested in energy and natural resources, this state might pique your curiosity.
10. In 2010, Microsoft banned a gamer from Xbox Live for putting Fort Gay as his address. Little did they know, Fort Gay is an actual town in West Virginia! It took an appeal from the town’s mayor to convince them that it wasn’t a fake address.
11-15 Shocking Facts about West Virginia
11. When a small town in West Virginia needed help replacing a bridge, they turned to the Soviet Union and East Germany for assistance. The West Virginia government had ignored their requests, but within one hour of the Soviets sending a journalist to investigate, the state finally agreed to pay for the bridge.
12. Between 2007 and 2012, drug wholesalers shipped an astounding 780 million doses of oxycodone and hydrocodone to West Virginia – that’s an average of 433 pills per person! Tragically, during that same period, 1,728 people in the state fatally overdosed on these painkillers.
13. In a bizarre case that made national headlines, a West Virginia man was charged with battery for farting repeatedly and fanning the gas at police officers. Ultimately, the charges were dropped, but it’s a strange reminder that truth can be stranger than fiction.
14. Did you know that there are approximately 8 parking spaces for every car in the United States? In fact, parking spots take up about 30% of cities’ areas. When you add them all up, they take up about the same amount of space as the entire state of West Virginia!
15. John Denver’s hit song “Take Me Home, Country Road” may be a beloved ode to West Virginia, but neither he nor the song’s writers had ever even been there! The road that inspired the song is actually in Maryland, and the landmarks mentioned in the lyrics are more accurate descriptions of the western region of Virginia.
16-20 Bad Facts about West Virginia
16. West Virginia may be known for its beautiful scenery and friendly people, but did you know it also has some strange old laws still in existence? For example, it’s technically illegal to own a red or black flag.
17. And if you taunt someone who doesn’t want to participate in a duel, you could be breaking the law.
18. If you’re planning a night out at the theater in West Virginia, be aware that it’s still illegal to wear a hat inside the venue (though we doubt anyone will stop you).
19. And if you have a bit of a potty mouth, be careful about swearing in public – you could be fined $1 for each offense!
20. Speaking of dueling, if you decide to participate in one, you won’t be able to run for public office.
21-25 Surprising Facts about West Virginia
21. And if you’re a firefighter, be aware that flirting on the job is strictly prohibited.
22. West Virginia holds a unique record – it has the most places named after international cities! From Shanghai to Berlin, Cairo to Vienna, and even Calcutta and Geneva, there are plenty of internationally-inspired names to be found in the state.
23. But it’s not just international names that West Virginia has in abundance – the state also has some unusual names for its towns, such as Man, Fort Gay, Nutter Fort, and Paw Paw.
24. Unfortunately, West Virginia also holds the title of the second most obese state in the US, after Mississippi.
25. West Virginia is the third most forested state.
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading 25 Interesting West Virginia Facts For Students.
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