Explore Virginia’s Diverse Geography

1. Virginia’s Geography

2. Relative Location • Relative location may be described using terms that show connections between two places such as “next to,” “near,” and “bordering.”

3. Bordering Bodies of Water • Virginia is bordered by two large bodies of water: • Chesapeake Bay • Atlantic Ocean

4. Bordering States • Virginia is also bordered by five other states: • Maryland • West Virginia • Kentucky • Tennessee • North Carolina

5. Virginia’s Five Regions

6. Virginia’s Five Regions • Virginia is divided into five geographic regions and each region has distinctive characteristics. • Tidewater Region (Coastal Plain) • Piedmont Region • Blue Ridge Mountains Region • Ridge and Valley Region • Allegheny (Appalachian) Plateau Region

7. Tidewater Region • Coastal Plain • Flat land. • Located near the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay (includes the Eastern Shore Peninsula). • East of the Fall Line.

8. The Great Dismal Swamp • Located in the southeastern corner of Virginia. • Home to many kinds of wildlife. • It covers over 600 square miles!

9. The Fall Line • The Tidewater and Piedmont regions of Virginia are separated by a natural border called a “fall line.” • This is the place where waterfalls prevent further travel on rivers.

10. The Piedmont Region • The area of rolling hills between the fall line and the Blue Ridge Mountains. • The word Piedmont means, “land at the foot of the mountains.”

11. Blue Ridge Mountains Region • Old, rounded mountains. • Located between the Piedmont and Ridge and Valley regions. • Source of many rivers. • Part of the Appalachian Mountains system.

12. Ridge and Valley Region • Includes the Great Valley of Virginia (Shenandoah Valley). • Located west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. • Famous for farming and orchards!

13. Allegheny (Appalachian) Plateau Region • Located in Southwest Virginia. • Only a small part of the plateau is located in Virginia. • Plateau – area of elevated land that is flat on top. • Coal mining is big in this region!