Charleston, the capital city of West Virginia, is the transportation, retail, cultural and telecommunications center of the state. With a population of over 300,000, the Charleston area is the state’s premier business center due to its industrial diversity and numerous job opportunities. A stable and abundant workforce enables companies in the chemical, automotive, healthcare, telecommunications and professional services sector to flourish.
Five fully accredited colleges and universities serve Charleston, offering quality undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Snow skiing in West Virginia’s breathtakingly beautiful mountains abounds. Snowshoe, Canaan Valley and Winter Place are all located within an easy drive from Charleston. West Virginia’s mountain rivers offer some of America’s best opportunities for whitewater rafting. The Gauley River, one of the top 10-whitewater rivers in the nation, and the New River are only an hour’s drive from Charleston.
Other attractions include the Capital City Arts & Crafts Show, Charleston Distance Run, Charleston Sternwheel Regatta, FestivALL, Multi-Fest, Smoke on the Water Chili Cook-off, Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center, Vandalia Gathering, WV International Film Festival and WV Power Single A Baseball.