> > One other thing: There are both a Virgina and a West Virginia in the US. HUH?!?!? That seems weird... Every other "directional" state has a paired state in the opposite direction, like North and South Dakota and North and South Carolina. So why do you not have an East Virginia? I think someone should start a petition or something... West Virginia seems a bit like an afterthought to me.
>
> It was. Virginia is one of the original 13 colonies, and, if memory serves, originally included the geographic area now separated into West Virginia. I'm not clear on the history of the split, but it wouldn't surprise me to learn that the Civil War had something to do with it.

That's exactly what happened. Short version: the northwestern counties did not want to seceed from the Union, so they didn't. Poof! Another state!

>
> At any rate, Virginia is a beautiful state and a beautiful name. Don't mess with it! :-)
>
> S "wishes New York and Pennsylvania did not exist, so Virginia's beautiful countryside, flowering trees, friendly people, and high standard of living were closer" am

-Faux "currently at jury duty. expect a Rumble in Court or an Adventures with the Legal System post on Monday or Tuesday" Pas