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I am a teacher in Pittsylvania County. We have
been studying our Va. geography and history very hard these last several weeks but have found two sources that give conflicting information about the number of and names of the regions Va. is divided into. Please write us and give the correct information so that we can do our very best on the SOL tests we will be taking in April. Thank you very much and wish us luck.

There are three regions in Va. 1. The Tidewater Region (divided into the mainland and Eastern Shore) 2.The Peidmont Region (peidmont plateau) and 3.The Ridge and Valley Region

There are three regions in Va. 1. The Tidewater Region (divided into the mainland and Eastern Shore) 2.The Peidmont Region (peidmont plateau) and 3.The Ridge and Valley Region

Well....if that's true, I'm teaching my fifth graders incorrect information. The information I have gives the number of regions at four: Tidewater (east of the fall line); Piedmont (west of the falline to the foot of the mountain ranges, thus explaining the name); the Ridge & Valley Region (the mountain ranges - BlueRidge/Allegheny and their valleys); and, last, the Allegheny Plateau (extreme southwestern plateau). Of course, this is NOT correct either as the Nat'l Geological Survey sites several more distinct regions. Who knows what the very secretive SOL developers decided to use?

I, too, have taught my students that there are three regions in Virginia. This is what is presented in the social studies text from which I teach. On the SOL test I recently administered, there was a map showing four regions. In reviewing the actual SOL, four regions are specified. I have learned a lesson - teach the SOL, not the text!!