Virginia’s Geography

Relative Location

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

Bordering Bodies of Water

• Virginia is bordered by two large bodies of water:– Chesapeake Bay– Atlantic Ocean

Bordering States

• Virginia is also bordered by five other states:– Maryland– West Virginia– Kentucky– Tennessee– North Carolina

Virginia’s Five Regions

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

Tidewater Region

• Coastal Plain– Flat land.– Located near the

Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay (includes the Eastern Shore Peninsula).

– East of the Fall Line.

The Great Dismal Swamp

• Located in the southeastern corner of Virginia.

• Home to many kinds of wildlife.

• It covers over 600 square miles!

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.

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.”

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.

Ridge and Valley Region

• Includes the Great Valley of Virginia (Shenandoah Valley).

• Located west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

• Famous for farming and orchards!

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!