West Virginia State Maps
These maps show West Virginia State's Counties, Cities, Federal Areas, Physiographic, and Ecoregions.

The Counties of West Virginia and Their Name Origins
- Barbour County: Named for Philip Pendleton Barbour, a U.S. Congressman from Virginia and later an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Berkeley County: Named for Sir William Berkeley, colonial governor of Virginia.
- Boone County: Named in honor of frontiersman Daniel Boone, who lived in the area during the 1790s.
- Braxton County: Named after Carter Braxton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- Brooke County: Named for Robert Brooke, governor of Virginia from 1794 to 1796.
- Cabell County: Named after William H. Cabell, a former Governor of Virginia.
- Calhoun County: Named for John C. Calhoun, a U.S. Vice President, Senator, and Secretary of State.
- Clay County: Named in honor of Henry Clay, U.S. Secretary of State and Senator from Kentucky.
- Doddridge County: Named after Philip Doddridge, a distinguished statesman of western Virginia.
- Fayette County: Named for Marquis de Lafayette, the French hero of the American Revolution.
- Gilmer County: Named after Thomas Walker Gilmer, a former U.S. Secretary of the Navy.
- Grant County: Named for Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States and Civil War general.
- Greenbrier County: Named for the Greenbrier River, which runs through the county.
- Hampshire County: Named after Hampshire County in England.
- Hancock County: Named for John Hancock, a prominent Patriot and first signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- Hardy County: Named after Samuel Hardy, a Virginia statesman.
- Harrison County: Named after Benjamin Harrison V, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- Jackson County: Named for Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States.
- Jefferson County: Named after Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and principal author of the Declaration of Independence.
- Kanawha County: Named for the Kanawha River, which in turn was named after the Native American tribe.
- Lewis County: Named for Meriwether Lewis, the famous explorer of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
- Lincoln County: Named after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.
- Logan County: Named after Chief Logan, a prominent leader of the Mingo Native Americans.
- Marion County: Named for Francis Marion, a military officer who served in the American Revolutionary War.
- Marshall County: Named for John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States from 1801 to 1835.
- Mason County: Named for George Mason, an American patriot, statesman, and delegate from Virginia.
- McDowell County: Named for James McDowell, a former Governor of Virginia.
- Mercer County: Named for Hugh Mercer, a general in the American Revolution who died in the Battle of Princeton.
- Mineral County: Named for its rich mineral resources, particularly coal.
- Mingo County: Named after the Mingo Native Americans who once inhabited the region.
- Monongalia County: Named for the Monongahela River, which is derived from Native American words meaning "falling banks."
- Monroe County: Named after James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States.
- Morgan County: Named for General Daniel Morgan, a soldier in the American Revolution and later a U.S. Representative.
- Nicholas County: Named for Wilson Cary Nicholas, a Governor of Virginia.
- Ohio County: Named for the Ohio River, which forms its western boundary.
- Pendleton County: Named after Edmund Pendleton, a distinguished Virginia jurist and statesman.
- Pleasants County: Named for James Pleasants, a former Governor of Virginia.
- Pocahontas County: Named after the Native American woman Pocahontas, daughter of Chief Powhatan.
- Preston County: Named for James Patton Preston, a former Governor of Virginia.
- Putnam County: Named after Israel Putnam, a general in the American Revolutionary War.
- Raleigh County: Named for Sir Walter Raleigh, an English explorer and courtier.
- Randolph County: Named after Edmund Jennings Randolph, a Virginia statesman and the first U.S. Attorney General.
- Ritchie County: Named for Thomas Ritchie, a journalist and political figure from Virginia.
- Roane County: Named after Spencer Roane, a Virginia judge.
- Summers County: Named for George W. Summers, a prominent jurist from Virginia.
- Taylor County: Named after John Taylor, a U.S. Senator from Virginia.
- Tucker County: Named after Henry St. George Tucker, a judge and legal scholar from Virginia.
- Tyler County: Named after John Tyler Sr., father of the tenth President of the United States, John Tyler.
- Upshur County: Named after Abel Parker Upshur, U.S. Secretary of State under President John Tyler.
- Wayne County: Named after General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, a Revolutionary War hero.
- Webster County: Named after Daniel Webster, a prominent American statesman.
- Wetzel County: Named after Lewis Wetzel, a famous frontiersman and Indian fighter in the Ohio River Valley.
- Wirt County: Named for William Wirt, U.S. Attorney General and presidential candidate in 1832.
- Wood County: Named after James Wood, Governor of Virginia from 1796 to 1799.
- Wyoming County: Likely named after Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania, the site of a major Native American battle during the American Revolution.

West Virginia State County Sizes Map
Smallest County in West Virginia State
Hancock County: 86 sq miles
Largest County in West Virginia State
Randolph County: 1041 sq miles
Mean and Median Area of Counties in West Virginia State
Mean Area: 445.83 sq miles
Median Area: 414.95 sq miles

Major Cities of West Virginia State and Their Locations
In West Virginia, most major cities are strategically located along river valleys or near coal-rich regions.
1. River Valleys
Charleston: The capital city, located on the Kanawha River, is a hub for commerce and transportation.
Huntington: Situated along the Ohio River, it serves as a key industrial and transportation center.
Wheeling: Located on the Ohio River, Wheeling has historically been a center for industry and transportation, particularly in steel manufacturing and coal shipping.
Parkersburg: Positioned at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers, Parkersburg has long been a key city for commerce and river trade.
2. Historic Routes
Morgantown: Positioned along the Monongahela River, known for its proximity to coal mines and the West Virginia University.
Bluefield: Located in the southern part of the state, Bluefield is known for its coal industry and its historical role as a transportation hub along the Norfolk and Western Railway.
Beckley: Situated near the New River Gorge, Beckley serves as a central location in West Virginia’s southern coal region, with strong ties to the coal mining industry and tourism.

Topographic Tour of West Virginia
West Virginia is known for its rugged terrain, shaped by the Appalachian Mountains, extensive plateaus, and deep valleys.
1. Appalachian Plateaus
The western part of West Virginia consists of the Appalachian Plateaus, a region of deeply dissected plateaus and river valleys. This region is rich in coal and natural gas resources and is characterized by rolling hills, forested landscapes, and numerous rivers.
2. Allegheny Mountains
Running along the eastern part of the state, the Allegheny Mountains feature rugged peaks and are part of the larger Appalachian system. This area is home to some of the highest elevations in the state, including Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia at 4,863 feet.
3. New River Gorge
The New River Gorge, located in the southern part of the state, features steep, forested canyons carved by the New River. This area is renowned for its dramatic landscapes and is a popular destination for hiking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting. The New River Gorge Bridge, one of the longest steel arch bridges in the world, is a famous landmark here.
4. Greenbrier Valley
The Greenbrier Valley, located in southeastern West Virginia, is characterized by rolling limestone hills, rich farmlands, and numerous caves and karst formations. The valley is home to the Greenbrier River, which flows through a picturesque landscape that is popular for hiking, cycling, and fishing.
5. Canaan Valley
Canaan Valley, situated in the northeastern part of the state, is a high-elevation valley surrounded by the Allegheny Mountains. This area features wetland habitats and cool, alpine-like conditions, making it a unique ecosystem in the state. The valley is popular for skiing, hiking, and wildlife viewing, particularly in Canaan Valley State Park and Blackwater Falls State Park.

Physiographic Regions of West Virginia
Appalachian Plateaus, Allegheny Mountain
This region encompasses some of the most rugged parts of the state, with high elevations and forested peaks.
Appalachian Plateaus, Kanawha
Characterized by deeply dissected plateaus and a network of rivers that carve through the landscape, including the Kanawha River.
Blue Ridge, Northern
This region extends into the northeastern part of West Virginia and includes lower elevation mountains compared to the Alleghenies.
Valley and Ridge, Middle
The Valley and Ridge region features folded mountains and valleys, part of the larger Appalachian system.
Valley and Ridge, Tennessee
This section extends southward and includes some of the most complex terrain in West Virginia.

Notable Federal Lands: Some of the Largest and Most Fascinating Destinations in West Virginia
1. Monongahela National Forest
The largest federally managed land in West Virginia, the Monongahela National Forest covers over 900,000 acres and offers opportunities for hiking, camping, and nature observation. It is home to diverse ecosystems, including dense hardwood forests, bogs, and highland meadows.
2. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Designated as a national park in 2020, the New River Gorge is known for its dramatic river gorge, offering some of the best whitewater rafting in the eastern U.S. The park also features one of the longest steel arch bridges in the world, the New River Gorge Bridge, a popular site for BASE jumping and Bridge Day festivities.
3. New River Gorge National River
The New River Gorge National River encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, providing a haven for outdoor activities like rock climbing, hiking, and bird watching. The river itself is one of the oldest in the world and offers excellent opportunities for kayaking and rafting.
4. Jefferson National Forest
Stretching across Virginia and extending into southern West Virginia, the Jefferson National Forest offers scenic landscapes, mountainous terrain, and forested trails. This area is perfect for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. It is connected to the larger George Washington National Forest.
5. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is steeped in history. This park preserves the site of John Brown’s 1859 raid, a key event leading to the Civil War. Visitors can explore historic buildings, hike scenic trails, and take in the rich history of the area.
6. Cranberry Wilderness
Located within the Monongahela National Forest, the Cranberry Wilderness covers over 47,000 acres of rugged backcountry terrain. It is known for its remote forests, bogs, and streams, offering a pristine environment for backpacking, wildlife viewing, and backcountry camping.
7. Laurel Fork South Wilderness
This federally designated wilderness area is also part of the Monongahela National Forest. The Laurel Fork South Wilderness features scenic forests, peaceful streams, and diverse plant and animal life, making it ideal for hikers seeking solitude and natural beauty.
8. George Washington National Forest
The George Washington National Forest spans Virginia and parts of West Virginia, covering vast mountainous terrain. It offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife observation. The forest is rich in history and natural beauty, with trails that connect to the Appalachian Trail.
9. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
This park, commonly referred to as the C&O Canal, runs along the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland, with parts extending into West Virginia. The canal played a significant role in the 19th-century transportation of goods. Today, visitors can hike, bike, or walk along the towpath while exploring historical landmarks and natural scenery.

Ecoregions of West Virginia
Allegheny Mountains Section
This region is defined by its forested highlands, cool climates, and rugged terrain, making it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and camping.
Blue Ridge Mountains Section
Located in the eastern part of the state, the Blue Ridge Mountains are part of a larger system extending into Virginia and beyond.
Northern Cumberland Mountains Section
Characterized by steep slopes and ridgelines, this region lies on the southwestern edge of the state and extends into Kentucky.
Northern Ridge & Valley Section
Known for its rolling hills and fertile valleys, this region is home to diverse ecosystems and agricultural lands.
Southern Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau
This part of West Virginia consists of forested plateaus, with numerous rivers cutting deep valleys through the rugged landscape.