Charleston: the coal capital of West Virginia

The West Virginia Capitol, with its dome higher than that of the national Capitol in Washington, dominates the skyline of the state capital.

A short walk away, the West Virginia Cultural Museum recounts the coal mining history that has shaped the state's economy and identity for over a century.

Continuing along the Kanawha River, one walks the city's riverfront, with views of the forested Appalachian hills surrounding it.

Toward evening, the Capitol district animates with restaurants and venues frequented by state officials of the capital, among the liveliest gathering points.

The dome of the West Virginia State Capitol, standing over two hundred ninety meters high, exceeds the height of the national Capitol dome in Washington, a detail that locals are particularly proud of and love to remind visitors about.

The coal industry, which dominated West Virginia's economy for over a century, remains today a central theme of cultural identity and politics recounted in Charleston's museums and local schools.