Sunrise over the Water

Eastern Virginia Medical School serves the southeastern region of Virginia known as Hampton Roads. Located approximately 90 miles southeast of Richmond (the state capital), the region includes seven major cities: Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.

The region's total population exceeds one and a half million people. Winters are mild, while the autumn and spring seasons are delightful. Summers are warm but tempered by ocean and bay breezes.

The community takes its name from the central harbor that has shaped the region's history and culture. The largest natural harbor in the world, Hampton Roads has played a prominent role in American history ever since Captain John Smith and 100 other settlers arrived here in 1607, establishing at Jamestown the oldest permanent English settlement in the New World. The harbor was originally named in honor of the 17th century English Earl of Southampton (Henry Wriothesley) by the first royal governor, Lord de la Ware.

The region abounds in history. During the Revolutionary War, many battles were fought here, ending with Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown. In addition, the harbor was the site of the famous Civil War battle between the ironclads, the Union Monitor and the Confederate Virginia, commonly known as the Merrimac. In more modern times, the region's large military presence and shipbuilding industries have continued to play a major role in American history and defense.

Chrysler Museum of Art

Consistently earning high ranks in various "quality of life" surveys, Hampton Roads abounds in cultural, educational, and economic opportunity. Educational opportunities in the area are enriched by seven colleges and universities as well as two community college systems. International trade, shipbuilding, healthcare, tourism, military bases, and agriculture provide a diverse economic base with a wide range of employment possibilities.

State and city parks, public beaches, and other recreational facilities are open to the public for camping, boating, surfing, fishing, hiking, swimming, tennis, and golf. University sports, professional hockey, professional soccer, and AAA minor league baseball are available, and Hampton Roads is one of the most active yachting areas in the nation. History buffs can visit the restored villages of Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. Foodies will enjoy the many fine and casual restaurants and cafes throughout the area that offer a wide variety of local and ethnic cuisines.

Many seasonal festivals are available, including the Virginia Arts Festival (along the entire Virginia waterfront), Virginia Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Hampton Bay Days, the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, the Norfolk Azalea Festival, the Suffolk Peanut Festival, Chesapeake's Jubilee, Portsmouth's TodiMusicFest, Norfolk's Harborfest, Octoberfest, holiday Grand Illumination in Norfolk/Portsmouth and in Williamsburg, and the Portsmouth Seawall Arts Festival. Near the EVMS campus, on the downtown waterfront, special events are presented most weekends, sometimes including fireworks and boat parades. Several tour boats set sail nightly throughout the year, providing tours of the waterfront.

Hampton Roads also offers many opportunities for weekend getaways. The cultural attractions of Washington, D.C., the windswept beaches of North Carolina's Outer Banks, and the scenic beauty and ski resorts of the Blue Ridge Mountains are only a few hours' drive away.

For more detailed information about the area, see the links at the top of this page.

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