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West Virginia's state boundaries tend to follow the lay of the land, winding between mountains along riverbeds or along mountain ridges. These wandering boundaries give West Virginia a unique outline. In northern West Virginia, there are two interesting land extensions that seem to intrude upon neighboring states. The land that extends eastward between Maryland and Virginia is referred to as the Eastern Panhandle. The strip of land that extends north between Ohio and Pennsylvania is referred to as the Northern Panhandle.

The land areas of this state are characterized by the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region and the Appalachian Plateau.

Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region: Part of the Appalachian Mountain system, the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountain Ranges run in a broad strip from northeast West Virginia southwest across the eastern 1/6 of the state. These mountains are characterized by long parallel ridges. Streams run through the valleys that separate these ridges.

The forested mountains of the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region hide many caves and underground streams. Along the western edge of the mountains is the Allegheny Front, the place where the more sharp, rugged mountains of the east meet the more rolling terrain of the Appalachian Plateau. Many of the peaks in this area of West Virginia rise to over 4,000 feet above sea level. Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia, rises 4,863 feet above sea level in the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region.

Appalachian Plateau: West of the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region, the Appalachian Plateau covers 5/6 of West Virginia. This land area, also rugged, is marked by flat-topped highlands and more rounded hills as opposed to the more sharply defined landscape to the east.

( West Virginia Close-up )