Virginia has highly diversified economy based upon many sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, technology and government. Traditionally agriculture was the mainstay, but farms now follow other sectors in employment and income generation. Tobacco, Virginia's historic cash crop, is still the leading agricultural product in Virgina. But, grains, corn, soybeans, peanuts, sweet potatoes, cotton, and apples (especially in the Shenandoah Valley) are all important.
Wine production is a new and growing sector and has gained some importance; but the major sources of agricultural income are now poultry, dairy goods, and cattle, raised especially in the Valley of Virginia.
Virginia's access to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean mean that the marine products play an important role in Virginia's economy. The Chesapeake Bay is especially rich in shellfish such as oysters and crabs.
In addition to marine resources, Virginia has mineral resources. The most important mineral in Virginia is probably coal. But Virginia also produces stone, cement, sand, and gravel.
Virginia hosts several important transportation hubs. Roanoke is a center for the rail transport equipment industry, and a high proportion of the nation's shipyards are concentrated at Hampton Roads , especially in Newport News . Norfolk is a major U.S. naval base, and Portsmouth is a U.S. naval shipyard; Hampton is a center for aeronautical research.
Northern Virginia is sort of a Silicon Valley East. Northern Virginia is one of the largest concentrations of computer communications firms in the U.S. In addition many government contracting firms and national non-profit associations are headquartered in Northern Virginia. Tens of thousands of Virginians work in government, especially in the District of Columbia or in nearby “Beltway” suburbs of Northern Virginia, including Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax County.
Other leading industries include tourism and the manufacture of chemicals, electrical equipment, and food, textile, and paper products. Virginia is for lovers!
