Beyond the surf and sand of this popular resort city, Virginia Beach has combined business, industry and related resources with a pleasant lifestyle for any season. As Virginia's most populous city, it offers an abundance of shopping, concerts in the parks and other recreational activities making it an appealing place to live, work and play.
Located on Hampton Roads' coastal plain, Virginia Beach lays claim to 26 miles of Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay beaches. Its history dates from the 1600s when Capt. John Smith, founder of the first English-speaking colony in America , initially landed at Virginia Beach 's Cape Henry and proclaimed, "Heaven and Earth never agreed better to frame a place for man's habitations..."
When it comes to restoring one’s soul, there’s the Virginia Beach Boardwalk Art show, sponsored by the Virginia Beach Arts Center, which is the only institution in Hampton Roads to focuses solely on 21st century American artist. The Board Walk Art show attended by 360,000 is one of the largest outdoor art shows in the country. It began in 1956 and has climbed steadily in popularity. For five days in Mid July, it spreads paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture 10 blocks along the boardwalk.
Adding to Virginia Beach’s allure as a family destination is the Virginia Marine Science Museum, the most popular museum in the Sate. Nature lovers can drive a few miles south to the Back Bay National Refuge, which attracts migrating birds and protects several miles of beach and marshlands for encroaching development.
Although tourism and conventions have brought in over $380 million of business, Virginia Beach is more than just one long beach. The city has been one of the fastest growing in Virginia. Its primary attraction is its liability. For six consecutive years, Virginia Beach has had the lowest crime rate in America for cities its size. Its schools are frequently named among the best in the country.
Population (year 2000): 425,257, Est. population in July 2002: 433,934 (+2.0% change)
Elevation: 15 feet
County: Virginia Beach
Land area: 310 square miles
Zip codes: 23451, 23452, 23454, 23455, 23456, 23457, 23459, 23461, 23462, 23464.
Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Philadelphia, PA (228.2 miles, pop. 1,517,550).
Nearest cities: Norfolk, VA (12.4 miles), Chesapeake, VA (14.5 miles), Portsmouth, VA (17.8 miles), Hampton, VA (23.3 miles), Poquoson, VA (28.5 miles), Cape Charles, VA (30.4 miles), Newport News, VA (31.8 miles), Cheriton, VA (32.5 miles
Major Industries
Lillian Vernon Corp, American Systems Engineering, Stihl, Unisys, Architectural Graphics Computer Dynamics, Paramax, Cigna Direct Marketing Division
Hospitals/medical centers in Virginia Beach:
• SENTARA BAYSIDE HOSPITAL (800 INDEPENDENCE BLVD)
• VIRGINIA BEACH GENERAL HOSPITAL (1060 FIRST COLONIAL RD)
• VIRGINIA BEACH PSYCHIATRIC CENTER (1100 FIRST COLONIAL ROAD)
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Virginia Beach:
• OCEANA NAS /APOLLO SOUCEK FIELD/ (about 4 miles; VIRGINIA BEACH, VA; ID: NTU)
• NORFOLK INTL (about 9 miles; NORFOLK, VA; ID: ORF)
• NORFOLK NS (about 16 miles; NORFOLK, VA; ID: NGU)
Other public-use airports nearest to Virginia Beach:
• CHESAPEAKE REGIONAL (about 21 miles; NORFOLK, VA; ID: CPK)
• HAMPTON ROADS EXECUTIVE (about 25 miles; NORFOLK, VA; ID: PVG)
• CURRITUCK COUNTY (about 32 miles; CURRITUCK, NC; ID: 9W7)
Local government website: http://www.vbgov.com/
Library in Virginia Beach:
• VIRGINIA BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $13,605,305; Location: 2416 COURTHOUSE DRIVE BUILDING 19; 796,791 books; 64,367 audio materials; 16,323 video materials; 1,465 serial subscriptions)
