Neighborhoods Rich Heritage Combined With Dynamic Development

Best InThe South!

Hampton Roads Tops In Livability For Its Size.

–Money Magazine, 1998

The Peninsula” is a name that fits many geographical areas. In Virginia the name describes a close-knit group of cities and counties that share a rich heritage going back to colonial times and an equally rich vision for the 21st century.

“Isle of Wight and Suffolk Counties make up an area called “South of the James.”

Our locales — Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg and Poquoson, and the counties of York, James City, Gloucester and Isle of Wight — provide our residents with countless choices for businesses, schools, health care, homes, entertainment and recreation.

Ten cities (Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg) and seven counties (Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Mathews, Southampton, Surry and York) make up the geographical area Hampton Roads, the nation’s 27th largest Metropolitan statistical area, a strong drawing card for business, education and cultural development.

In addition, Gloucester and Mathews Counties are part of another area referred to as the Middle Peninsula and includes King and Queen County and King William County. While Surry,

Water ha s been the backbone of our communities since the English colonists sailed up the James River to found Jamestown in 1607. Today, waters such as the James River and the Port of Hampton Roads are filled with sailboats and fishing workboats, behemoth coal carriers and the submarines and aircraft carriers that play pivotal roles in our U.S. Navy.

Our rich colonial heritage is woven throughout the Peninsula, yet we move into the 21st century with confidence and authority. Hampton Roads has shown itself ready to develop into a center for excellence in the “New Economy,” that is, economic activity having a global focus and based on information and technology. M