Charleston |
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| The capital of West Virginia is Charleston. Even though its population doesn’t top 50,000 people it is also West Virginia’s largest city. When combined; the surrounding area of Charleston has a population of 300,000, so this region has a significant amount of people and plenty to do. Above is a boat cruising down the Elk river which converges with the larger Kanawha river in the center of the city. On the right is the state capitol building in downtown Charleston. Before the civil war when West Virginia and Virginia were a single state, the capital of Richmond once had jurisdiction over this area. When West Virginia broke away Charleston was chosen as the capital due to its relatively strong economy and large population. |
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| Above a view of the city’s largest buildings on the left and the Charleston town center on the right. This mall was actually the largest downtown mall east of the Mississippi river when it first opened in the early 1980s. To me the mall seemed about average in size, maybe above average at best, but it definitely didn’t give me the impression that it was once the east coast’s largest. I did several things in Charleston and seriously can’t believe I left with only five photos! I will saw I had the strangest thing happen to me while I was out at a bar here of all places. I was approached by an intoxicated woman who asked if I was from Lebanon. I’m actually half Lebanese but everyone assumes I’m completely American. This was the first time, and probably the only time, that anyone had ever guessed that just by looking at me! |
 As a state, West Virginia’s economy is based on various industries, but coal mining has always been one of the most important. On the left is an industrial building owned by DuPont Chemical just 10 miles east of Charleston. There are lots of industrial and manufacturing plants throughout the state, and this was one of the many I passed by. I promise there is a lot more to do in Charleston! I will take some more photos next time I return. |
