Virginia Archives - Pilot Guides

Considered to be the cradle of modern America, Virginia was the first permanent colony in the Americas with English settlers establishing the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1607. Few places have played as significant a role in American history than Virginia, which was a key backdrop during the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. In addition to its history, Virginia is known for its rich natural beauty as epitomised by locales such as Chesapeake Bay. Due to its close proximity to Washington, DC, Virginia is also the home of several major government institutions such as the Pentagon and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) headquarters. Other major sites include the Arlington National Cemetery.