The Commonwealth of Virginia is an American state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is the 12th-most populous state in the U.S. with over 7.7 million residents, and the 35th-largest in area. It is named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, who, never having married, was known as the 'Virgin Queen'. The state is also known as the "The Old Dominion" and sometimes "Mother of Presidents", because it is the birthplace of eight U.S. presidents.

The roots of modern Virginia trace back to the founding of the Virginia Colony in 1607 by the Virginia Company of London. It was the first permanent New World English colony and became one of the thirteen colonies that would take part in the American Revolution. Slavery played a large role in Virginia's early economy and politics, and the state seceded and subsequently became the heart of the Confederacy in the American Civil War.

The capital of the commonwealth is Richmond, while Virginia Beach is the most populous city, and Fairfax County is the most populous political subdivision. Although traditionally conservative and historically part of the Southern United States, modern Virginia is a politically competitive state with both conservative and liberal areas. Virginia's government is ranked with the highest efficiency grade in the nation.

Virginia has an economy with several important industries, including the federal government in Northern Virginia and military bases in Hampton Roads, as well as agricultural areas. The Historic Triangle includes Jamestown, Yorktown and the living museum of Colonial Williamsburg, the most popular tourist destination in the state. The growth of the technology sector has made computer chips the state's leading export, with the industry based on the strength of Virginia's public schools and universities, some of which are at the top of national rankings.

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