The COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA was the 10^th state given Statehood in 1788. The name “Commonwealth” is a designation used by four of the 50 states to symbolically emphasize that these states have a "government based on the common consent of the people". (The other Commonwealths are Kentucky, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.)

Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" because of its status as the first English colonial settlement in mainland North America (Jamestown 1607). Virginia is also called the "Mother of Presidents" since 8 U.S. presidents were born and lived here, more than any other state: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson.

Virginia has a total area of 42,774.2 square miles (110,784.7 km2), including 3,180.13 square miles (8,236.5 km2) of water, making it the 35^th-largest state by area. The state population is 8,001,024 (2010).

The VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY is the oldest continuous law-making body in the US. It is composed of 100 House members and 40 Senate members. The Virginia General Assembly begins each year on the second Wednesday in January. During odd-numbered years a short 30-day session is held, and on the even-numbered years a longer 60-day session is held.