Virginia’s Geography
Relative Location
• Relative location may
be described using
terms that show
connections between
two places such as
“next to,” “near,” and
“bordering.”
Bordering Bodies of Water
• Virginia is bordered
by two large bodies of
water:
– Chesapeake Bay
– Atlantic Ocean
Bordering States
• Virginia is also
bordered by five other
states:
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Maryland
West Virginia
Kentucky
Tennessee
North Carolina
Virginia’s Five Regions
Virginia’s Five Regions
• Virginia is divided into five geographic
regions and each region has distinctive
characteristics.
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Tidewater Region (Coastal Plain)
Piedmont Region
Blue Ridge Mountains Region
Ridge and Valley Region
Allegheny (Appalachian) Plateau Region
Tidewater Region
• Coastal Plain
– Flat land.
– Located near the
Atlantic Ocean and
Chesapeake Bay
(includes the Eastern
Shore Peninsula).
– East of the Fall Line.
The Great Dismal Swamp
• Located in the
southeastern corner
of Virginia.
• Home to many kinds
of wildlife.
• It covers over 600
square miles!
The Fall Line
• The Tidewater and
Piedmont regions of
Virginia are separated
by a natural border
called a “fall line.”
• This is the place
where waterfalls
prevent further travel
on rivers.
The Piedmont Region
• The area of rolling
hills between the fall
line and the Blue
Ridge Mountains.
• The word Piedmont
means, “land at the
foot of the
mountains.”
Blue Ridge Mountains Region
• Old, rounded
mountains.
• Located between the
Piedmont and Ridge
and Valley regions.
• Source of many
rivers.
• Part of the
Appalachian
Mountains system.
Ridge and Valley Region
• Includes the Great
Valley of Virginia
(Shenandoah Valley).
• Located west of the
Blue Ridge
Mountains.
• Famous for farming
and orchards!
Allegheny (Appalachian)
Plateau Region
• Located in
Southwest Virginia.
• Only a small part of
the plateau is
located in Virginia.
• Plateau – area of
elevated land that is
flat on top.
• Coal mining is big in
this region!