Total Area                    42,769 square miles

Land Area                    39,598 square miles

Water Area                  3,171 square miles

Coastline                     112 miles

Shoreline                     3,315 miles

Topography                 Mountain and valley region in the west, rolling piedmont plateau, and tidewater or coastal plain

Area Codes                  276, 434, 540, 571, 703, and 804

Statehood                    June 25, 1788

State Capital                Richmond

State Motto                  Sic Semper Tyrannis (Thus Always to Tyrants)

State Song                   “Carry Me Back to Old Virginia”

State Bird                    Cardinal

State Tree                    Dogwood (cornus florida)

State Flower                Flowering Dogwood

State Nickname           The Old Dominion

•Metropolitan Richmond boasts a growing population that exceeds one million. The region offers a quality labor force from more than 40 localities.

•The diverse economy in Greater Richmond includes Fortune 1000 headquarters as well as leading-edge pharmaceutical, chemical, biotech, semiconductor, and other advanced product manufacturers. Other highly visible companies and organizations include the Fifth District Federal Reserve, the Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, Virginia state government offices, information technology and financial services, prestigious hospitals and medical centers, and institutions of higher education.

•Richmond International Airport handles nearly 2.7 million passengers and more than 142 million pounds of cargo each year and is served by six passenger airlines and five dedicated air cargo airlines.

•The telecommunications infrastructure is state-of-the-art with an extensive fiber optic network and digital switching capability.

•Greater Richmond offers the cosmopolitan atmosphere and cultural and recreational opportunities of a major metropolitan area. Yet, the region has little traffic congestion with the added convenience of an average 24-minute commute.

•The region’s exceptional quality of life is a leading factor in the encouragement of continued economic growth. Companies are quick to recognize the ease of attracting and retaining quality employees.

CLIMATE

Richmond has a moderate climate marked by long, beautiful springs filled with bright blooms and an extended autumn that creates colorful landscapes. Temperatures rarely drop below 60 degrees F between April and October. July and August are the two rainiest months, each averaging about five inches of precipitation. Summers tend to be humid. Temperatures can reach highs of 90 degrees. December, January and February are the coldest months, with average highs of 50 degrees F and lows of about 30 degrees F. Greater Richmond usually sees one large snowstorm and a few sprinklings of snow in the early part of the year. However, warm spells are just as likely. New Year’s Day can be ideal for a game of golf!