What Are Some Physical Features of Virginia?

By Staff WriterLast Updated Apr 5, 2020 9:01:14 AM ET

Some physical features of Virginia include the Appalachian Ridge, Blue Ridge Mountains, Potomac River, Shenandoah River, Mount Rogers, Philpott Lake, Delmarva Peninsula, Hampton Roads and the James River. Virginia is located in the south along the Atlantic Ocean. It is the 35th largest state in the United States.

Virginia is typically divided into five major geographic regions:

The Atlantic Coastal Plain makes up the eastern region of the state. This region is covered with swamps and salt marshes and is sometimes called Tidewater. The Delmarva Peninsula and Hampton Roads, the world's largest natural harbor, is located in the Atlantic Coastal Plain.
West of the Atlantic Coastal Plain is a region of low hills called Piedmont. This region is the largest in Virginia. Several rivers, such as the Potomac, can be found in Piedmont.
The Blue Ridge Mountains border Piedmont. This mountain range is the largest of the Appalachian Mountains. This region is the location of the highest point in Virginia, Mount Rogers, which stands at 5,729 feet.
The Appalachian Ridge and Valley region lies along Virginia's western border. The largest valley here is the Shenandoah Valley, which contains the Shenandoah River. This area is the state's most productive for agriculture.
The Appalachian Plateau region is in the far-southwestern corner of the state. It contains forests, rivers and streams and is known for having coal deposits.