They say that if you're moving to Richmond, Virginia, you'll find it "easy to love;" it's the city's motto. The city offers a rich history, culture, and a high quality of living. Richmond, an independent city and the capital of Virginia, is located in the eastern part of the state. The city was the capital of the Confederate army during the Civil War and many historical structures are still evident in the city.
Economy:
Richmond has a major port, and is currently a center of manufacturing, finance, and distribution. Commonly produced goods in the city include tobacco, clothing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, metals, woods, and various computer products. Several major companies that are headquartered in or around Richmond include Philip Morris, Genworth Financial, Circuit City, and Capital One.
Tourism:
Richmond International Airport is located eleven miles outside of Richmond. The city is home to several minor league and smaller professional teams, as well as many collegiate teams. Many significant historical buildings are still in Richmond. Notable ones include the state capitol building, the White House of the Confederacy, St. John's Church, the Edgar Allan Poe Shrine, the Robert Lee House, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
History:
The area was first settled in 1607 by John Smith and Christopher Newport. The name Richmond was determined in 1737 from the English town sharing the same name. Patrick Henry gave his "Give me liberty or give me death" speech in 1775 in the city. The city became the capital of Virginia in 1780 and was incorporated two years later. Richmond started the Civil War as the capital of the Confederacy, but it was soon burned down by attacking Union troops. Manchester, a neighboring city of Richmond, merged with the capital in 1910.