State profile: Virginia

Virginia was at the centre of the first 200 years of American history. English colonists founded Jamestown here in 1607 and in the 1770s, the American Revolution began and ended in the state. Virginia was home to both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Today, it is far less politically influential than it once was, although the southern part of the state is still a hotbed of conservatism. The National Rifle Association, Christian Coalition and any number of smaller conservative groups are based there.

The divide is sharp, though, between its conservative south and the parts of the state which are sprawling suburbs of Washington DC and the federal government, a divide reflected in the closeness of this year's race.

KEY FACTS Population: 7,078,515 (ranked 12 among states) Governor: Mark Warner (D) Electoral college votes: 13

The state built its wealth and status on enormous plantations and slavery.

Despite the damage that was inflicted on the aristocratic class by the Civil War, low-wage agriculture - particularly for tobacco - remained the basis of Virginia's economy and segregation the basis of Virginia's society for many years.

2003 CONGRESS House of Representatives: 3 Democrat, 9 Republican Senate: 2 Republican

But much has changed. In 1989 black Democrat Douglas Wilder was elected governor.

Nasa and the military have brought jobs, investment and a thriving hi-tech private sector; Richmond is now a strong financial and manufacturing centre.

VOTING RECORD 2000: Bush 52%, Gore 44% 1996: Clinton 45%, Dole 47% 1992: Clinton 41%, Bush 45%, Perot 14%

Northern Virginia's hi-tech corridor facilitated a boom there during the 1990s, although the whole state has suffered from the recent recession.