West Virginia Borders: Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky—Not "East Virginia"

No. "East Virginia" is not a state. West Virginia shares borders with five states:

1. Pennsylvania (north)
2. Maryland (northeast — Potomac River)
3. Virginia (southeast/south — long mountain boundary)
4. Kentucky (southwest — Big Sandy/Tug Fork rivers)
5. Ohio (west/northwest — Ohio River)

Common Confusion

People sometimes think "East Virginia" exists because "West Virginia" implies an eastern counterpart. But Virginia was the original colony/state; West Virginia seceded from Virginia in 1863 during the Civil War. The "West" distinguishes it from the parent state.

Border Details

• VA–WV: 381 mi — longest, mountainous
• OH–WV: 277 mi — Ohio River
• MD–WV: 174 mi — Potomac River
• PA–WV: 118 mi — Mason-Dixon line extension
• KY–WV: 79 mi — Tug Fork/Big Sandy rivers