Virginia Beach is an independent city located in the South Hampton Roads area of Virginia, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Although Fairfax County is the most populous jurisdiction, Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia and the 42nd largest city in the United States. Virginia Beach is the easternmost of the Seven Cities of Hampton Roads that make up the core of the Virginia Beach-Newport News, VA-NC-MSA. This area, known as "America's First Region", also includes the independent cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk, as well as other smaller cities, counties and towns of Hampton Roads.
As a premier resort area, Virginia Beach offers numerous recreational, historial and cultural opportunities. With 38 miles of shoreline, Virginia Beach is a "Beach Lovers' Beach," with 28 miles of public beach area and its popular 3-mile Boardwalk! Events happen almost every weekend, but some of the most popular include the Boardwalk Art Show, Neptune Festival, the East Coast Surfing Championship and the Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon! Virginia's most popular state park, First Landing State Park, features trails for hiking and biking, camp sites, swimming and rental sports equipment.
Some of Virginia's most visited attractions are in Virginia Beach, such as the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Cape Henry Lighthouses, the Association for Research & Enlightenment as well as the Ocean Breeze Waterpark!
For the outdoor enthusiast, Virginia Beach offers sportsfishing charters, SCUBA and snorkeling, surfing and sailing for the beginner with expert instruction and rental equipment. Biking along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk and Back Bay National Refuge, hiking and watching wildlife at North River Landing Natural Area, and just hanging out at oceanside make Virginia Beach a prime family vacation spot!
Virginia Beach has miles of beaches and hundreds of hotels, motels, and restaurants along its oceanfront. Every year the city hosts the East Coast Surfing Championship as well as the North American Sand Soccer Championship. It is also home to several state parks, several long-protected beach areas, three military bases, a number of large corporations, two universities, and numerous historic sites. Near the point where the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean meet, Cape Henry was the site of the First landing of the English colonists, who eventually settled in Jamestown, on April 26, 1607.
Virginia Beach has all the elements of a classic seaside resort: gorgeous beaches, a lively boardwalk, plenty of restaurants and nightspots, and amusement rides sure to appeal to kids. Sports enthusiasts will find celebrated golf courses in Virginia Beach and the surrounding area, as well as sea kayaking and miles of hiking trails. Many believe Virginia Beach is at its best in the off-season, when the town is less crowded but the weather is still mild.
The city is listed in the Ginness Book of Recordsas having the longest pleasure beach in the world. It is located at the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, the longest bridge-tunnel complex in the world.
Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation is home to 249 parks and park facilites, encompassing over 4,000 acres, including neighborhood and community parks, metro parks, signature parks, natural areas, waterway accesses, trail linkages and park athletic facilities. Each park is unique and offers something for everyone, from wide open spaces to playgrounds, picnic shelters, and ballfields.
Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation operates 3 municipal golf courses, each complete with
practice facilities, driving range, putting green and practice bunkers. Private and group lessons with PGA professionals. Golf shops stocked with quality equipment and apparel. Snack bar facilities. Professional staff to organize tournaments and outings.
On your next visit to Virginia Beach be sure to see some of the local attractions, such as, the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, The Sandbridge Pier, First Landing State Park, Ocean Breeze Water Park, Lynnhaven House, and The Old Coast Guard Station.
Housing Cost
Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $282,400
Mean prices in 2007: All housing units: $349,406; Detached houses: $389,212; Townhouses or other attached units: $218,109; In 2-unit structures: $613,277; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $260,922; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $289,641; Mobile homes: $25,522
Demographics
Population in July 2008: 433,746. Virginia Beach covers 248.3 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 15 feet above sea level. Area code commonly used in this area: 757
Weather
Virginia Beach, VA climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 40's.
The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 86.90 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 32.20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be fairly limited during summer with a difference that can reach 16 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 18 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Virginia Beach is 44.50 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is August with an average rainfall of 5.19 Inches.
Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com
. This area, known as "America's First Region", also includes the independent cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk, as well as other smaller cities, counties and towns of Hampton Roads.