Facts and Figures

Area, 24,181 sq mi (62,629 sq km). Pop. (2000) 1,808,344, a 0.8% increase over 1980 pop. Capital and largest city, Charleston. Statehood, June 20, 1863 (35th state). Highest pt., Spruce Knob, 4,863 ft (1,483 m); lowest pt., Potomac River, 240 ft (73 m). Nickname, Mountain State. Motto, Montani Semper Liberi [Mountaineers Are Always Free]. State bird, cardinal. State flower, Rhododendron maximum, or “Big Laurel.” State tree, sugar maple. Abbr., W.Va.; WV

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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