about virginia

Richmond, Virginia, located in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic region, is the geographic point midway between Atlanta and Boston.  This award-winning city holds the distinct title of one of America’s Most Livable Communities and according to Forbes Magazine is the tenth best place for starting a business or a career in the United States.

Richmond, which spreads throughout the counties of Chesterfield, Goochland and Henrico, was home to 197,790 citizens at the time of the 2000 Census.  The greater Richmond Metro area encompasses the city proper and the surrounding areas in the scenic rolling hills of Hanover County.  Richmond is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Richmond, VA boasts a flourishing business community with a wide base of industry that ranges from small family companies to Fortune 500 corporations.  Well-known firms providing employment in Richmond include Circuit City, Dominion Resources and Philip Morris USA.  Only five metro areas in the nation are home to more Fortune 500 headquarters than the Richmond area.

Companies such as Ukrop’s Super Market, a family-owned supermarket chain, add to the friendly, small town ambiance renowned in Richmond.  In addition, the Port of Richmond serves as a regional distribution hub for domestic and international companies.  Nearly half of the nation’s consumers and manufacturers lie within 750 miles of Richmond.  The prestigious Virginia Bio Technology Research Park also provides a wealth of job opportunities to the residents of the Richmond area.

Richmond affords citizens an outstanding quality of life with cultural and educational activities, complemented by a refreshingly moderate climate.  Several distinct neighborhoods offer a wide range of living choices in every price range. Richmond teems with popular shopping districts such as the historic Fan District, while antique stores and boutiques also abound.  Ethnic food, music and a vibrant nightlife provide entertainment for the locals, while other popular local destinations include the Richmond International Raceway and the Science Museum of Virginia.  Beautiful coastal beaches, scenic mountains and the nation’s capital lie within a scenic two-hour drive.

Steeped in 400 years of U.S. history, Richmond is home to an many notable sites of interest.  St. John’s Church, the site where Patrick Henry gave the famous ‘Give me liberty or give me death’  speech, is in Richmond, while more than twenty-five additional museums pay homage to the region’s prodigious heritage.  Civil War buffs enjoy the vast 763-acres of commemorative National Battlefield Park, the Museum of the Confederacy, Virginia War Memorial and many monuments such as the Christopher Columbus monument.  Richmond also plays host to an impressive array of community celebrations throughout the year, including the Carytown Watermelon Festival, the Grand Illumination, the James River Film Festival and the Virginia State Fair.

Richmond’s public school system, operates thirty-one elementary schools, nine middle schools and eight high schools meant to serve 25,000 students.  Local facilities providing higher education include Strayer University, the University of Richmond, Virginia Union University, Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia State University.  Several community colleges, including John Tyler Community College, also serve the region’s educational needs.

Richmond, Virginia continues to honor its rich historical past, while forging full speed ahead into the future.  Southern charm and cosmopolitan flair create the blend that makes this unique city unforgettable.