Capital Richmond Became a State June 25, 1788 (10th) Location southeastern United States Area 42,774 sq. miles (35th) Population 8,001,024 (12th) Major Cities Virginia Beach, Richmond, Norfolk, Alexandria, Chesapeake, Roanoke, Suffolk Products cattle, tobacco, peanuts, tomatoes, hay, sweet potatoes, poultry, coal, lumber Climate part of the state is humid subtropical climate - in the mountainous areas, climate becomes humid tropical with hot summers and mild wild winters Yearly Precipitation averages 34 inches Professional Sports Teams no professional sports teams Major Waterways Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River Atlantic Intracostal Waterway James River, Rappahannock River, Shenandoah River Most Famous Citizens George Washington (United States President) Thomas Jefferson (United States President) James Madison (United States President) James Monroe (United States President) William Henry Harrison (United States President) John Tyler (United States President) Zachary Taylor (United States President) Woodrow Wilson (United States President) Willa Cather (author) Pocohonatas (Indian woman) Cyrus McCormick (inventor) Booker T. Washington (educator) Henry Clay (statesman) Robert E. Lee (Confederate Soldier) Richard E. Byrd (polar explorer) Ella Fitzgerald (singer) Patrick Henry (statesman)