Geographic Regions of Virginia

The Five Geographic Regions of Virginia Coastal Plain (Tidewater) Piedmont Blue Ridge Mountains Appalachian Plateau Valley and Ridge

Distinctive Characteristics of each region Coastal Plain(Tidewater) low, flat land sandy soil located near the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay located east of the Fall Line there are four peninsulas

Coastal Plain - This image was taken in Chesapeake Bay

The Peninsulas and their bordering bodies of water: Northern Neck : bordered by the Potomac and the Rappahannock rivers Middle Peninsula :bordered by the Rappahannock and the York rivers The Peninsula :bordered by the York and the James rivers The Eastern Shore Peninsula : bordered by the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean

Eastern Shore The Southside The Peninsula Middle Peninsula Northern Neck Peninsula ChesapeakeBayChesapeakeBay Atlantic Ocean Potomac River Rappahannock River

Piedmont The word Piedmont means (land at the foot of the mountains) rolling hills located west of the Fall Line This is Virginia’s largest region. Our state capital, Richmond,is located here.

The Fall Line This is part of the Piedmont region.It has many waterfalls and rapids.The waterfalls prevented further travel on the rivers during Colonial Virginia and this cause towns to spring up. The towns later became cities like Richmond, Fredericksburg,Alexandria, Petersburg,and later Emporia.They are all Fall Line cities because they grew up along major Virginia rivers.

Fall Line cities and the Rivers they developed along Alexandria was developed along the Potomac River. Fredericksburg was developed along the Rappahannock River. Richmond was developed along the James River. Petersburg was developed along the Appomattox River. Emporia was developed along the Meherrin River.

Alexandria Petersburg Emporia Potomac River Rappahannock River James River

Let’s imagine that you are one of the early settlers traveling on the Potomac River. You’re now approaching a sudden drop in the way that your ship was moving. What do you think could have happened? Go to the next slide and look closely!

Waterfalls and Rapids

Did you see how difficult it would be to continue your journey? You would actually have to get out of your boat and barter, or trade your goods in order to walk around the falls and then get back in your boat once it has gotten around the falls.

Look again! Would it be possible for a boat to travel with ease on water like this? No, I don’t think so!

Let’s Review A. On what river was the Fall Line city of Fredericksburg developed? Rappahannock! B. On what river was our state capital, Richmond, developed? James River! C. On what river was the city of Alexandria developed? The Potomac!

Blue Ridge Mountains Old, rounded mountains part of the Appalachian Mountain system ridge = a line of hills or mountains located between the Piedmont and Valley and Ridge regions Source of many rivers

Blue Ridge Mountains

Valley and Ridge Includes the Great Valley of Virginia and other valleys separated by ridges It is rugged due to many high and rocky peaks. The Blue Ridge Mountains and the Valley and Ridge Regions are part of the Appalachian Mountain system. Located west of the Blue Ridge Mountains

Valley and Ridge

Appalachian Plateau Plateau : an area of elevated land that is flat on top located in Southwest Virginia Source of coal, oil, and natural gas

Virginia’s Products and Industries Coastal Plain (Tidewater) Seafood Shipbuilding, tourism, federal military installations Piedmont Tobacco products, information technology Technology, federal and state government,farming,textiles Blue Ridge Mountains ApplesRecreation Valley and Ridge Poultry, apples Farming Appalachian Plateau Coal Coal mining

Which of these isn’t one of Virginia’s five geographic regions? A. Coastal Plain (Tidewater) B. Piedmont C. Valley & Ridge D. Rocky Mountains E. Appalachian Plateau

Which of these isn’t one of Virginia’s five geographic regions? A. Coastal Plain (Tidewater) B. Piedmont C. Valley & Ridge D. Rocky Mountains E. Appalachian Plateau Though we do have the Blue Ridge Mountains!

Which region is farthest west? A. Appalachian Plateau B. Atlantic Ocean C. Coastal Plain (Tidewater) D. Eastern Shore N S W E

Which region is farthest west? A. Appalachian Plateau B. Atlantic Ocean C. Coastal Plain (Tidewater) D. Eastern Shore N S W E

Which region is directly west of the Fall Line? A. Appalachian Plateau B. Piedmont C. Valley & Ridge D. Coastal Plain (Tidewater )

Which region is directly west of the Fall Line? A. Appalachian Plateau B. Piedmont C. Valley & Ridge D. Coastal Plain (Tidewater )

In which region is Richmond located? A. Coastal Plain (Tidewater) B. Piedmont C. Eastern Shore Peninsula D. Northern Neck Peninsula

Which of Virginia’s regions is the largest? A. Piedmont B. Coastal Plain (Tidewater) C. Appalachian Plateau D. Blue Ridge Mountain

Which of Virginia’s regions is the largest? A. Piedmont B. Coastal Plain (Tidewater) C. Appalachian Plateau D. Blue Ridge Mountain

Which two geographic regions are separated by the Fall Line? A. Blue Ridge Mountains, Piedmont B.Valley & Ridge, Appalachian Plateau C.Coastal Plain (Tidewater), Piedmont D.Valley & Ridge,Blue Ridge Mt.

Which two geographic regions are separated by the Fall Line? A. Blue Ridge Mountains, Piedmont B.Valley & Ridge, Appalachian Plateau C.Coastal Plain (Tidewater), Piedmont D.Valley & Ridge,Blue Ridge Mt.

In which of Virginia’s regions would you live? A. Valley & Ridge B. Piedmont C. Coastal Plain (Tidewater) D. Appalachian Plateau (Tidewater)

Which of Virginia’s geographic regions is known for having rolling hills as one of its characteristics? A.Coastal Plain (Tidewater) B. Shenandoah Valley C. Piedmont D. Valley and Ridge

Piedmont

Which of the following would’ve contributed a lot to the development of early Fall Line towns? A. pathways B. rapids and valleys C. highways D. waterfalls and rapids

Which of the following would’ve contributed a lot to the development of early Fall Line towns? A. pathways B. rapids and valleys C. highways D. waterfalls and rapids

How were the rivers useful to the early colonists of Colonial Virginia? A. They provided a place for gathering rocks and jewels. B. They provided pathways for exploration and were a source of food to all who wanted some. C. They were a good source of food for all animals. D. They provided pathways for exploration and sail.

How were the rivers useful to the early colonists of Colonial Virginia? A. They provided a place for gathering rocks and jewels. B. They provided pathways for exploration and were a source of food to all who wanted some. C. They were a good source of food for all animals. D. They provided pathways for exploration and sail.

Which of the following is a major characteristic of a plateau? A.hills and valleys B. ridges and valleys C. elevated land that is flat on top D. mountainous land

Which of the following is a major characteristic of a plateau? A.hills and valleys B. ridges and valleys C. elevated land that is flat on top D. mountainous land