Most Common Questions About Virginia

1. What is the difference between a state and a commonwealth?
   
   Well, there isn't really a legal difference at all. Although Virginia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Kentucky all call themselves "commonwealths," the relationship with, and governance of, the people is the same as with a state.
   
   The term "Commonwealth" comes from political theory (literally, "common" and "weal," which means "the public good.") At its most optimistic, this would mean that, as active and ongoing participants in their "common-weal," Virginians should enjoy a higher degree of sovereignty — and a higher degree of responsibliity for how good, virtuous and socially responsible their self-created government is.
   
   
2. What is Virginia's motto? Tree? Flower? Bird? Song?
   
   Motto: Sic Semper Tyrannis, which is Latin for "Thus ever to tyrants!" because the goddess Virtua on the state seal has a conquered tyrant under her heel. See picture.
   Bird: Northern cardinal
   Tree & Flower: American dogwood
   Dog: American fox hound
   Boat: Chesapeake Bay deadrise
   Dance: square dance
   Insect: tiger swallowtail butterfly
   Fish: brook trout
   Shell: oyster
   Fossil: Chesapecten jeffersonius
   Beverage: milk
   
   
3. What is the largest city in Virginia?
   
   Virginia Beach, with an estimated population of 426,931 (2001 census figures), is the state's largest city.
   
   
4. What are Virginia's chief agricultural products?
   
   
• Broilers (that's chickens to you and me) are Virginia's #1 farm enterprise.
• Virginia's cattle herd ranks in the top 20 in the nation.
• Virginia yellow corn is primarily used for poultry and livestock feed.
• Virginia's ham and pork products are famous around the world.
• Plants, bulbs and Christmas trees are rapidly growing business products in the state.
• Virginia peanuts are known as the Cadillac of peanuts for their size and flavor.
• And did you know that more than one-third of Virginia's potato crop is used for potato chips?
  
  
5. What are some of Virginia's natural resources?
   
   Virginia teems with natural beauty and stunning resources. The Chesapeake Bay, Blue Ridge Mountains, Atlantic Ocean, Shenandoah Valley, James River are only a few.
   
   
6. What does a Virginia license plate look like?
   
   We do have quite a few tags available! In fact, there are over 180 styles of plate to choose from. You can check them out at the DMV site.
   
   
7. What are some opportunities for recreation in Virginia?
   
   Goodness, there are so many we couldn't possible list them all! You might start with our very own People and Places section. There are lots of links to other sites there, too.
   
   
8. What design is on the Virginia quarter?
   The Virginia quarter (the 10th to be issued in the series) honors the Jamestown settlement. More information is available at the U.S. Mint site.
   And did you know that EVERY U.S. nickel features Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home, on one side?