Virginia Counties - Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is located in the southeast corner of Virginia. It is bordered by the Cities of Norfolk and Chesapeake to the west, North Carolina to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Virginia Beach is the most populous city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the 38th largest in the United States with a population of over 425,000. Virginia Beach is a major resort area, with a thriving ocean front area, including a three-mile boardwalk, making it the largest pleasure beach in the world. The annual Neptune Festival, held in September, brings both locals and tourists to the boardwalk to celebrate Virginia Beach's strong maritime history. Artists, vendors, musicians, and sand castle building contestants line the Strip for the weekend. Residents and visitors can also enjoy the natural scenery of the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, as well as a variety of smaller, more secluded beaches in the area.

The Virginia Beach area was first settled in the early 17th century as an outgrowth of the Jamestown settlements. The area has been part of New Norfolk County, Lower Norfolk County, Princess Anne County, and finally the City of Virginia Beach. It was established as a resort area with the opening of the Princess Anne Hotel in 1890. Many of the historical sites in the region have been preserved and are open to the public today. The Cape Henry Lighthouse, built in 1792, was the first lighthouse authorized by the US Government, as well as the first federal project undertaken under the US Constitution. The Adam Thoroughgood House, a beautiful estate built in 1636, has been fully-restored and now serves as a museum.

Upper Wolfsnare Plantation, constructed in 1759, originally included an estate of 7,000 acres. Today it is a museum, and houses the Princess Anne County/Virginia Beach Historical Society. The Ferry Plantation House, constructed in 1830, was built on the site of the ruins of a previous home. The site was part of a ferry service, beginning in 1642 and continuing into the 19th century. Archeological findings from the site have included a large number of intact 18th century artifacts. Today, Ferry Plantation serves as a museum and headquarters for a non profit agency.

The city of Virginia Beach is a major suburban community, the third largest in the nation, and provides a large variety of residential options, from working farms in Pungo, to oceanfront property along the beach in Croatan Beach, to luxury estates in Indian River Plantation. It is serviced by I-64, I-264, I-664, and is accessible to the Virginia Peninsula via the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, as well as the Eastern Shore via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, the longest bridge tunnel in the world. It is also serviced by the Norfolk International Airport, located approximately 20 minutes away.