Names
Virginia has more names and nicknames than other states. Those names or nicknames include the “Commonwealth,” “Old Dominion,” “Mother of Presidents,” “Mother of States,” “Cavalier State,” and “Down Where the South Begins.”
Presidents of the United States
Virginia was the birthplace of eight United States Presidents. That number is more than any other state: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson.
Independent cities
There are 41 independent cities in the United States. Of those, 39 are in Virginia. They are called "independent cities" because they are not in the territory of any county.
Ships
The United States has more than 40 naval bases. Naval Station Norfolk is the world’s largest naval base which is the home port to more than 78 ships alongside 14 piers and with 134 aircraft and 11 aircraft hangars. More than 3,100 ships arrive and depart annually.
Miles on a trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail spans 14 U.S. states over its roughly 2,200 miles. More of those miles are in Virginia than in the other states. There are 550.3 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia.
Vanity plates
Virginia has more than 1.2 million registered personalized plates, also called vanity plates. The higher concentration of customized license plates in Virginia is more than in any other state and more than the population of Rhode Island. According to the American Association of Vehicle Administrators, one in every six cars in Virginia has a personalized license plate.
Oysters
Virginia is known as the oyster capital of the East Coast. Virginia is the largest producer of farm-raised oysters in the country with the largest variety of flavors. Since 2016, Virginia has sold over 40 million oysters each year.
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