Exploring Virginia: A Journey through its 5 Regions

1. You are about to set off on a journey around the beautiful state of Virginia! On your trip, you will visit each of the 5 regions of the state. To guide your exploration, be sure to complete the “Region Guide” your teacher gives you. At the end of your trip, you will send a postcard to your teacher from your favorite stop. Directions: Click on the map of Virginia in the lower corner to advance to the next slide.

2. Virginia is divided into 5 geographic regions. A region is an area of land that is alike in some way. Each region of Virginia has certain land or water features that are similar. On our trip, we will be looking at each region’s special features along with places of interest. Click on the following link to view a map that shows the height of the land in the Virginia area (green is lower, brown is higher). http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/of99-011/blue_ridge.gif Click on the following link to find out where each region is located in our state: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Instruction/History/virginiaregionswithcounties.pdf Click on the next link to get an overview of the 5 geographic regions of Virginia: http://www.vachamber.com/movingtova/kids_geography.htm

3. In our tour of Virginia, we will travel through the regions from east to west. Our first stop will be the Coastal Plain Region, which is also called the Tidewater Region. This region is known for its location near the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. It is also located east of the Fall Line. You’ll notice the land in this region is very flat. Click on the following link to visit the Coastal Plain Region. When you see the map, click on the yellow area. http://www.mme.state.va.us/DMR/DOCS/Geol/vageo.html Use the links below to visit some of the places of interest that are located in the Coastal Plain (Tidewater) Region. Virginia BeachNewport News As you can imagine, this region is known for its seafood, shipbuilding, and tourism.

4. As we continue our tour, we will travel west to the Piedmont Region. When we cross over from the Coastal Plain (Tidewater) to the Piedmont, we will also cross the Fall Line. Click on the following link to visit the Fall Line. http://www.virginiaplaces.org/regions/fallshape.html As you have read, The Fall Line is the natural border between the two regions. It is also where waterfalls prevent further travel on the river. The following link will bring you to the waterfalls. http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/grfa/gallery/falls/index.htm The word “Piedmont” means “land at the foot of mountains”. The Piedmont Region (located west of the Fall Line) is known for its rolling hills. Farming is a big industry in the Piedmont Region and one of the major crops is tobacco. Other important industries in this region include technology, government, and textiles. Click on the following link to visit the Piedmont Region. When you see the map, click on the green area. http://www.mme.state.va.us/DMR/DOCS/Geol/vageo.html Use the links below to visit some of the places of interest that are located in the Piedmont Region. Fauquier CountyCharlottesvilleSmith Mountain Lake (most of our county (home of the University is in the Piedmont)of Virginia)

5. Traveling west, our next stop will be the Blue Ridge Mountain Region. This region is known for its old, rounded mountains, which are part of the Appalachian mountain system. The Blue Ridge Mountain Region is the source of many rivers. Apples are one of the main products from this region. Click on the following link to visit the Blue Ridge Mountain Region. When you see the map, click on the magenta area. http://www.mme.state.va.us/DMR/DOCS/Geol/vageo.html Use the links below to visit some of the places of interest that are located in the Blue Ridge Mountain Region. Mount RogersRoanokeMountains of Virginia (VA’s highest peak at 5,719 feet)

6. The region to the west of the Blue Ridge Mountains is the Valley and Ridge Region. This region includes flatter land called valleys. The valleys include the Great Valley of Virginia along with others. The largest of the valleys is the Shenandoah Valley. The Shenandoah River winds through this valley. The valleys are separated by ridges that reach between 3,000 – 4,000 feet. The Blue Ridge Mountains and the Valley and Ridge Region are part of the Appalachian mountain system. This region is known for its farming industry and production of poultry and apples. Click on the following link to visit the Valley and Ridge Region. When you see the map, click on the royal blue area. http://www.mme.state.va.us/DMR/DOCS/Geol/vageo.html The next link will bring you to a photo taken from an airplane of a ridge and valley landscape. http://www.mme.state.va.us/DMR/GALLERY/geomor/morp/obliq1.html Use the links below to visit some of the places of interest that are located in the Valley and Ridge Region. Blacksburg Shenandoah RiverLuray (Home of Virginia Tech & Surrounding Areas)

7. Our final stop on our trip today will be the Appalachian Plateau Region. This region is located in Southwest Virginia. A plateau is an area of elevated land that is flat on the top. Only a small part of this plateau is located in Virginia. This region is known for its coal mining. Click on the following link to visit the Appalachian Plateau Region. When you see the map, click on the turquoise blue area. http://www.mme.state.va.us/DMR/DOCS/Geol/vageo.html Use the links below to visit some of the places of interest that are located in the Appalachian Plateau Region. Cumberland GapWise County

8. Congratulations!!! You have completed your trip around the state of Virginia. Make sure you have completed your “Region Guide”. If you missed an answer, you may return to any of the region slides by clicking on its picture below. Now it is time for you to select your favorite region. You will be creating a postcard to send to your teacher from that region. Directions are found on the bottom of your “Region Guide”. I hope you enjoyed your trip! Come back soon!!!