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About the Area
Charlottesville, Va.
The University
is located in Charlottesville, with a
metropolitan-area population of around 100,000. The area is known for
its natural beauty and historical attractions. Charlottesville also
offers a substantial range of cultural resources which includes symphony
orchestras, a light opera company, and other instrumental and vocal
groups, as well as art galleries, museums, and diverse
restaurants. Numerous speakers, musicians and performing arts
professionals visit the community each year.
The area attracts tens of thousands of tourists yearly, who come to see the Grounds of the University, visit the homes of Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, tour local wineries, and enjoy the scenic views and outdoor recreation offered by the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah mountains. Charlottesville and the encompassing County of Albemarle offer relaxed surroundings, rolling green hills, and pleasant weather; they are consistently ranked in the national polls as one of the top few cities in the country in terms of desirability, family life, and cost-of-living value.
Commonwealth of Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia has
recently undertaken decisive strategic technological leadership, and
enjoyed considerable success in attracting, creating, and retaining
information-technology and Internet-based businesses. High-technology
industries (such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, electronics,
telecommunications, biotechnology, and environmental technology), with a
heavy emphasis on research and development and a highly-skilled work
force, are also growing rapidly in Virginia.
These enterprises are supported by new public and private infrastructure and technology resources, such as communications networks, federal and non-profit R&D industries, a coherent technology transfer system, highly-developed human resources, and an entrepreneurial climate which supports the creation and expansion of technology-based businesses. The Commonwealth of Virginia now has substantial competitive strengths for the new economy, and the quality of life in Virginia, including cultural and recreational resources, natural assets, and tax regimes, is unrivaled.