Destination Virginia

This section will answer many of your questions regarding the life science industry in Virginia, the state's economy, tax structure and cost of living, education, transportation, climate, recreational opportunities, history and more.

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Industry Overview | Economy/Cost of Living | Education
Recreation & Entertainment | Transportation | Geography & Climate
History | Suggested Reading List

The Old Dominion, an original of the Thirteen Colonies, bordered by ocean, mountains, and the nation's capital, this is Virginia, whose long history hints at a broad future assured success by its many resources.

Industry Snapshot

Virginia boasts a robust and flourishing biotechnology and life sciences industry. Its strategic location places the Old Dominion near the Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland corridors. Within its own borders, however, Virginia offers much in the arena.

Economy/Cost of Living

Over 7.6 million people help to make Virginia the 12th most populous state in the U.S. Major cities and towns in the Old Dominion include Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Richmond, Newport News, Arlington, Hampton, Alexandria, Portsmouth, and Roanoke.

Education

Virginia provides exceptional educational opportunities throughout the state. School-age children can be educated via public, private, or home schools. Virginia also offers numerous higher education options, including public, private, and community colleges and universities.

Recreation & Entertainment

Virginia boasts plentiful opportunities for recreation and entertainment, whether for outdoor lovers, spectators of fine art, or nearly any other pursuit imaginable.

Transportation

Virginia offers numerous transportation options for commuting or freight transport. Nearly 58,000 miles of roads innervate the Old Dominion. Major automobile routes include Interstate highways: I-64, I-66, I-77 (also called the Virginia Turnpike, the state's only toll road), I-81, I-85, and I-95. Some notable auto routes include the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Geography & Climate

Located in the Southeastern region of the U.S., Virginia ranks 35th largest among the states in total area at 42,769 square miles. Virginia is bordered by Maryland and West Virginia to the north, Tennessee and North Carolina to the south, to the east by Maryland and the Atlantic Ocean, and to the west by Kentucky and West Virginia.

History

The land that is now modern day Virginia was inhabited by Native Americans as much as 16,000 years ago. Early groups were foragers, whereas later peoples became more sedentary and lived in river valleys. From A.D. 900 until Jamestown became a settlement, Native Americans began farming in addition to hunting and gathering. By the time of European arrival to the area, several tribes called the land their home, including the Cherokee, Monacan, Powhatan, and numerous others.

Suggested Reading List

A list of select guides and reference books about Virginia.