Natural beauty West Virginia is a beautiful state. The mountains that rise up over much of it are so steep and rugged, however, that it's difficult to get back into them. Morgantown, which is about 900 feet above sea level, is on the Appalachian plateau. Not only are the mountains more gentle, but they are drained by the Cheat and Monongahela rivers. Consequently, outdoor recreation is at the heart of the region's fast-growing tourism industry.
Cheat Lake is a big draw.
So is 12,700-acre Cooper's Park State Park. In coming years a great many Northern Virginians will be spending money in the Morgantown area if that region is wise enough to protect its natural assets. Preserving nature, meanwhile, is not a priority for the state or local governments of Virginia. The economy of the Morgantown area traditionally depended on the production of coal, natural gas and oil, and the mining of limestone. The economic engine is now West Virginia University.