Capital: Charleston.

Governor: Bob Wise (D, to January 2005).

Population: 1,808,344.

Land area: 24,078 (square miles).

Entered the Union: June 20, 1863 as the 35th state.

Motto: Montani semper liberi (Mountaineers are always free).

Nicknames: Mountain State.

Flower: Rhododendron.

Bird: Cardinal.

Song: "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home; The West Virginia Hills; and This is My West Virginia".

Sports Teams: West Virginia has no professional sports teams.

Origin of Name: Like Virginia: in honor of Elizabeth, Virgin Queen of England.

Major Industries: Coal mining, chemical manufacturing, and commerce and service activities.

Historical Sites: Historic homes in the Eastern Panhandle area of the state.

Points of Interest: Harpers Ferry and New River Gorge National River; the Greenbrier and Berkeley Springs resorts, and the Cass scenic railroad.

Bordering States: West Virginia borders Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania.