Founding of the Virginia Colony
When was the colony of Virginia founded? The Virginia Colony was founded in 1607 by John Smith and other colonists including John Rolfe backed by the London Company, at Jamestown.

The Naming of the Virginia Colony
Named after Queen Elizabeth I of England - the "Virgin Queen".

Information and Facts with the Virginia Colony Fact File
Fast facts and interesting information about the founding, establishment, geography, climate, religion, history, natural resources, raw material, industries and the famous historical people associated with the Virginia Colony of Colonial America. Information and facts at a glance about the Virginia Colony via this fast fact file. Also refer to the Charter of Virginia .

Year Founded: 1607 by John Smith and others, at Jamestown.

1609/10 was the Starving Time . In 1611 the colony came under the rule of Sir Thomas Dale and Good Order in Virginia

Major Towns / Cities: Jamestown, Williamsburg, Richmond

Major Industries: Plantation agriculture (tobacco, wheat, corn) and the iron industry (refer to Colonial Times )

Geography of Virginia: Mountains, valleys and coastal plain

Climate: The Southern colonies were the warmest of the three regions, winters not difficult to survive, but the hot and humid summers gave rise to the spread of disease. The warm climate made it possible to grow crops throughout the year and was ideally suited for plantations

Religion: Not dominated by a specific religion which gave way to religious freedom for Baptists, Anglicans and others. Refer to Religion in the Colonies

Natural Resources: Fish, forests (timber) and good agricultural land. Farming and Plantations were important. Exported agricultural products to other colonies

Economics and Trade: Concentrated on agriculture and developed the plantations exporting tobacco, cotton, corn, vegetables, grain, fruit and livestock. Trade in the Southern colonies included Tobacco, cotton, rice, indigo (dye), lumber, furs, farm products

Government: By 1775 Virginia was governed as a Royal Colony .

In 1618 the Headright System was set up by the London company in 1618 that gave 50 acres of land to colonists who paid their own way to Virginia, or paid the way for someone else. The self government system of the House of Burgesses was established in 1619

On March 25, 1584 Queen Elizabeth I of England granted a charter to Sir Walter Raleigh (1554-1618) to search and discover 'remote and heathen lands' refer to

In 1585 Sir Walter Raleigh (1554-1618) led expeditions to both North America and South America in order to found new settlements and find gold. Raleigh sends several shiploads of colonists to the east coast of North America, who settle on Roanoke Island, and names Virginia in honour of Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen.

In 1586 the colonists on Roanoke Island are forced to return to England due to hardships

In 1587 John White establishes a second English colony at Roanoke and becomes Governor. Elinor White Dare gives birth to a daughter, Virginia Dare, the first child born of English parents in the New World

August 15 1590 John White arrives back to Roanoke to find that the settlers have all disappeared. The word "CROATOAN" is found carved into a tree without any crosses or signs of distress.

In 1748 "The Harpers Ferry" begins carrying passengers across the Shenandoah River

In 1611 The rule of Sir Thomas Dale and Good Order in Virginia