West Virginia has a very colorful history. Before the 17th century, a large number of Indians lived in this Atlantic coastal region of North America, as revealed by many artifacts found in almost every village. However, the earliest explorers of the land found few Indians here. Perhaps many of the Indians died of famine, disease or tribal wars.

Since 1600, the land has been explored and claimed by British and French colonizers. It was named Virginia after Queen Elizabeth I, the