Virginia Beach officially became an independent city in 1952, and is now one of the fastest-growing U.S. cities. It is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the 39th largest city in the US, with a total population of 447,000. The city is mostly known for its miles of beautiful beaches. In fact, Virginia Beach boasts the longest pleasure beach in the entire world. Another famous attraction is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, the longest bridge-tunnel complex in the world, which links Virginia Beach with the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Maryland and spans 23 miles over Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. (See our Virginia Beach Guide for dozens of other local attractions.)
Summers in Virginia Beach are hot and humid with cool evenings. The mean annual temperature is 60°F, with an average annual rainfall of 45 inches. The wettest seasons are the spring and summer, although rainfall is fairly constant all year round.
The area’s economy mostly centers on tourism, real estate, agriculture (livestock and dairy products), and four large military bases within the city limits. The cost of living in the Virginia Beach area, including consumer goods and services, is slightly above the national average.
Virginia Beach is primarily served by the nearby Norfolk International Airport. Also located within an hour's drive away is the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. Transportation within the city, as well as with other cities in the Hampton Roads area, is served by a regional bus service, Hampton Roads Transit (HRT).
The city of Virginia Beach is home to Virginia Beach City Public Schools, the second largest school system in Virginia, and many other private schools. There are two universities: Regent University in Virginia Beach and Old Dominion University in nearby Norfolk. Also both the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech operate satellite campuses in Virginia Beach. Tidewater Community College has its largest campus located in the city and Virginia Wesleyan College, a private liberal arts college, is located near the border with Norfolk.
While Virginia Beach has no major league professional sports teams, the Hampton Roads area has been recently considered as a viable prospect for Major League Baseball, NBA and NHL franchises. They have two soccer teams in the United Soccer Leagues: the men’s team The Virginia Beach Mariners and the women’s team The Hampton Roads Piranhas.
*Source: www.wikipedia.org
