Chesapeake is an independent city which is located in the South Hampton Roads part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan region, situated in Virginia State in the United States. The city was founded in the year 1963 by a political consolidation of the former Norfolk County that dated to 1691 with South Norfolk City. As measured by land area, Chesapeake is the 2nd biggest city by land area in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The city of Chesapeake is part of a diverse urban oasis, with numerous miles of protected farmland, wetlands and the Great Dismal Swamp. The city of Chesapeake is situated on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Chesapeake extends all the way from Hampton Roads harbor area, to its rural border with the state of North Carolina and to the adjacent cities of Portsmouth and Norfolk. Chesapeake comprises miles of waterfront commercial, industrial and residential property.
During 1963, the city of Chesapeake was formed out of the amalgamation of the City of South Norfolk and the county of Norfolk. The regions history however, dates as far back as the early 1600s when the region was initially settled. In the year 1775, the historic Battle of Great Bridge took place. This marked an early Revolutionary War victory for American troops over the forces of the British Royal governor, Lord Dunmore. Work started on the Great Dismal Swamp Canal in the year 1793. This canal opened up in 1805. It eventually experienced difficulties and is currently a part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
The Hampton Roads metro region has a lot to provide its visitors and residents and Chesapeake is at the hub of the activity. Chesapeake is located 20 minutes from the ocean, only 15 minutes from Norfolk and 40 minutes from Colonial Williamsburg. Among the major attractions in the city of Chesapeake consist of the historic waterway linking the Chesapeake Bay to North Carolina's sounds which is referred to as the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway; Chesapeake City Park, a 75-acre place which houses the Chesapeake Skate Park and holds the annual Chesapeake Jubilee and Symphony Under the Stars.
Another local attraction in Chesapeake is the Chesapeake Arboretum, a 48-acres of trail systems, native trees and plants that work their way through a mature hardwood forest. There is an 18th century farmhouse found along the arboretum too. The Chesapeake Planetarium was the very first planetarium constructed by a public school system within the state of Virginia. The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail comprises an 8.5 mile long multipurpose trail which accommodates joggers, bicyclists, walkers, horse owners and boat owners. Deep Creek Lock Park is another great day trip with foot trails and pedestrian bridges to negotiate over heavily wooded areas.
The Chesapeake Veterans' Memorial is one more place worth going to. It commemorates the service and sacrifice of many Chesapeake citizens who are serving in the military and those who have served in the wars of the past. The Great Bridge Lock Park is another 19-acre location consisting of a big play area, picnic shelters, a foot trail, a 2-lane boat ramp and extensive crabbing and fishing areas. A renovated contemporary art gallery which features both local and traveling exhibits referred to as Portlock Galleries at SoNo is one more fantastic place to go to.