Virginia's geography is famously diverse, generally divided into five distinct physical regions. Moving from east to west, these are the Tidewater (a coastal plain), the Piedmont (rolling hills and the geographic center of the state), the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Ridge and Valley region (which includes the Shenandoah Valley), and the Appalachian Plateau.
The state borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay to the east, providing crucial maritime resources and shaping the local climate. Inland, the landscape is heavily forested, with nearly two-thirds of the state covered in trees. Virginia is also home to significant natural resources, including coal in the southwestern plateau, limestone in the valleys, and extensive waterways that support both industry and recreation.