Charleston is the state capitol. West Virginia is found entirely within the Appalachian Mountain chain. It is bordered by Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio and has a land area of 62,761 square kilometers or 24,232 square miles. The beauty of the state lies in the tall mountains, deep valleys and expansive forests. That beauty has also caused the state to be isolated due to the difficulty of building roads and transportation of materials.
Trees cover three-quarters of the state.
The steep inclines of the rivers prevent navigation of many of the waterways due to rapids and rocks. However, those mountains and forests provide a wealth of raw materials for the industry of the state. Coal mining is the most commonly thought of industry in the state though we produce both gas and petroleum which is used to make electricity and is exported to many industries in the country. Other mineral resources include sand for making glass, limestone and salt. West Virginia has a variety of industries that include hardwood lumber, specialty glass, and tourism.