Virginia ( , ), officially the
Commonwealth of Virginia, is a
U.S. state located in the
South Atlantic region of the
United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" due to its status as the first colonial possession established in mainland
British America, and "Mother of Presidents" because eight U.S. presidents were born there, more than any other state. The geography and climate of the
Commonwealth are shaped by the
Blue Ridge Mountains and the
Chesapeake Bay, which provide habitat for much of its flora and fauna. The capital of the Commonwealth is
Richmond;
Virginia Beach is the most populous city, and
Fairfax County is the most populous political subdivision. The Commonwealth's estimated population is over 8.3 million.