Norfolk, VA

Founded in 1682 and incorporated as a city in 1736, Norfolk is part of the Hampton Roads area of coastal Virginia. Named after a Chesapeake Bay harbor, its history as a military and transportation hub has made it a popular place to work, live and visit.

The city covers about 96 square miles. With a population of more than 235,000 people (approximately 4,362 persons per square mile), Norfolk is densely populated. As a consequence, traffic is notoriously problematic during peak travel times and crime levels have risen throughout the years. Still, Norfolk is considered a cultural centerpiece of the region, especially due to recent revitalization of the waterfront downtown area on the banks of the Elizabeth River. Additionally, the city's subtropical climate attracts those wishing to live in or journey to a region that experiences mild weather in the winter months.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Norfolk is the industrial nucleus of the Hampton Roads region. Many booming businesses, such as professional firms, business-to-business companies, restaurants and retailers find the city perfect for operations. The city of Norfolk controls protected deep water channels in Chesapeake Bay, which boost the trade of import and export of goods internationally.

Norfolk is a major military center that facilitates its economy to a great extent. The second largest and most important industry is cargo ports. In addition, Norfolk hosts Lambert's Point Docks, the largest coal trans-shipment point in the northern hemisphere. Most big shipping companies have presence in the region with many sales, distribution, legal offices situated in Norfolk. Many large shipping corporations have their headquarters in Norfolk.

In addition, large corporations, such as Norfolk Southern, Landmark Communications, Dominion Enterprises, FHC Health Systems, Portfolio Recovery Associates, and BlackHawk Products Group have their headquarters in Norfolk.

The largest employers in Norfolk include the U.S. Department of Defense, the Norfolk City School Board, Sentara Health Care Company, Bank of America, Old Dominion University (Norfolk Campus), Norfolk State University, U.S. Postal Service and Wal-Mart.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

All of the population in the city of Norfolk is urban. Neighborhoods and districts of Norfolk accommodate more than 94,500 houses, out of which more than 86,000 are occupied. Of the occupied houses, more than 39,000 are owner-occupied while renters occupy around 47,000 houses.

People in Norfolk live very close to their neighbors. The neighborhoods of Norfolk have a housing density of around 1750 houses or condos per square mile.

The walkability of Norfolk is very good. Most of the places such as grocery stores, restaurants and schools are within a mile's distance from the center of the city.

There are many historic neighborhoods in Norfolk:

• Berkley, previously an incorporated town in Norfolk County, is one of the largest neighborhoods.
• Willoughby Spit is another large neighborhood and is surrounded by the waters of Chesapeake Bay from three sides.
• Ocean View is a community having a long coastline of Chesapeake Bay.
• Downtown Norfolk and Ghent are two neighborhoods that are transformed and developed with the rapid development of Norfolk.

FOR VISITORS

• Freemason Street Baptist Church (1848): One of the many notable Norfolk landmarks, Freemason Street Baptist Church was built and designed by Thomas U. Walter, the same man who engineered the U.S. Capitol dome.
• St. Paul's Church (1739): This house of worship was the only building standing after Norfolk was completed destroyed during the Revolutionary War.
• Fort Norfolk (1810): Located in Norfolk's Ghent section, Fort Norfolk was one of several harbor-front forts authorized by President George Washington. The fort has been restored to remind visitors of Norfolk's military heritage. Occasionally, encampments are staged onsite.
• Moses Myers House (1797): Moses Myers, a Jewish entrepreneur, built this house in the late 18th century. Consequently, the residence represents the Federal period of architecture and style. Inside, original furnishings, paintings and memorabilia are on display.
• Hunter House (1894): This Victorian-era home has been turned into a museum. Painstakingly renovated, it strives to emulate the period and educate the visitor.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Chrysler Museum of Art: One of the premier cultural spots in Norfolk, the Chrysler Museum of Art houses a wealth of permanent exhibits. Additionally, traveling exhibits and events are presented throughout the year.
• Hermitage Foundation Museum & Gardens: Built at the end of the 19th century, the Hermitage Foundation Museum was originally the home of wealthy New York native William Sloane and his family. Sloane's collection of art and artifacts are displayed throughout this sizable mansion, and the bountiful gardens are open to visitors.
• MacArthur Memorial: As part of Norfolk's downtown attractions, the MacArthur Memorial offers exhibit galleries, as well as a film, focusing on the life of General Douglas MacArthur. The impressive rotunda houses the final resting place of both General MacArthur and his wife.
• Nauticus: Part of The National Maritime Center, Nauticus is a museum dedicated to hands-on, interactive displays. The shark petting lagoon and Aegis-class-destroyer battle simulation are but two of its unconventional exhibits.
• Harrison Opera House: The excellent acoustics of this performing arts venue - home to the Virginia Opera - provide all 1,500 seats with exceptional viewing and listening pleasure.
• Virginia Stage Company: Norfolk's professional regional theatre offers year-round live performances.
• "Mermaids on Parade": Seventeen larger-than-life-size mermaids adorn the downtown Norfolk area. Visitors can walk from one mermaid to another to learn more about each sculpture's identity and creation.
• Scope: Designed by Pier Luigi Nervi in 1971, this 12,600-seat arena boasts the largest concrete dome in the world.

EVENTS

• Bayou Boogaloo and Cajun Food Festival - Beignets, jambalaya, New Orleans jazz and crawfish are always on the menu at the annual Bayou Boogaloo and Cajun Food Festival. This celebration is held each June in Norfolk's Town Point Park.
• Norfolk Harborfest - Touted as the "biggest outdoor dock party in Hampton Roads," the Norfolk Harborfest is held each July 4th at Town Point Park.

LOCAL MEDIA

• The Virginian-Pilot
• Port Folio Weekly
• New Journal and Guide
• Hampton Roads Business Journal

FUN FACTS

• Norfolk is the second-largest incorporated city in the commonwealth of Virginia and provides a cultural and economic anchor for the "Seven Cities of Hampton Roads." The other six cities are Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.
• Norfolk's motto is "Crescas" (meaning "thou shalt grow" in Latin).
• In 1776, a barrage of shellfire from Lord Dunmore's ships lasting eight hours battered Norfolk. The destruction resulted in the loss of nearly two-thirds of the city's buildings. The remaining third (with the exception of St. Paul's Episcopal Church) were destroyed within the next year. As a result, although Norfolk's roots date to the 17^th century, the city's earliest structures only date to the Federal period.
• The movies Rollercoaster, Navy Seals and Mission Impossible III were filmed in or around Norfolk.
• Operation Smile, the international nonprofit that medically and financially assists underprivileged children who have facial deformities, is located in Norfolk.