Virginia Beach, the most populous city in Virginia, is located in the southeast part of the state along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.  It is an independent city and is not part of any county.

The first English settlers to set foot in America landed at Cape Henry at the tip of Virginia Beach on April 29, 1607.  There were led by John Smith on his way to establishing Jamestown.  The first permanent settlement within the city limits was made at Lynnhaven Bay in 1621.   Cape Henry became an important port for British merchant ships calling on America, and it was here that the French fleet let by Admiral Comte de Grasse blockaded the British fleet during the American Revolution.

Virginia Beach gained its reputation as a famous vacation resort in the 19th century, following the building of a railroad connecting it oceanfront with Norfolk and the construction of its first hotel in 1883, the Princess Anne Hotel.  Virginia Beach was incorporated as a town in 1906 and as a city in 1952.  In 1963 Princess Anne County and Virginia Beach merged.

Tourism is a mainstay of the economy; more than 3 million people visiting Virginia Beach each year. Virginia Beach's economy is also supported by Four military bases and diverse industries, including agriculture, computer software, engineering, and technical services.

A few of the famous people from this great city include:

V.C. Andrews, novelist; Edgar Cayce, psychic; Ann Woodruff Compton, news correspondent; D. J. Dozier, football and baseball player; George Eastman, inventor; Scott McKenzie, singer; Juice Newton, singer; Kenneth S. Reightler, Jr., astronaut; Pat Robertson, evangelist; Grace Sherwood, accused witch; Henry Walker, naval officer; Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker, boxer; Skip Wilkins, wheelchair athlete. (information provided by infoplease.com)

For more information on tourism please visit Virginia Beach Tourism to book your next vacation.