Northern Panhandle of West Virginia

[[Image:Northern panhandle west virginia.gif|right|thumb|300px|Northern panhandle]] The '''Northern Panhandle''' is a culturally and geographically distinct region in the [[U.S. state]] of [[West Virginia]]. It is the state's northernmost extension, bounded by the [[Ohio River]] on the north and west, along with the state of [[Pennsylvania]] on the east. Due to the southern boundary being an extension of the [[Mason-Dixon Line]] and its proximity to the [[Pittsburgh]] area, the Northern Panhandle resembles more of the [[Midwestern United States]] [http://garden.garden.org/regional/report/description/full/7] or the [[Northeastern United States]] compared to the rest of the state, which is classified in the [[Upland South]]. [http://garden.garden.org/regional/report/description/full/8] The following counties, listed from north to south, are universally accepted as being part of the Northern Panhandle: *[[Hancock County, West Virginia|Hancock County]] *[[Brooke County, West Virginia|Brooke County]] *[[Ohio County, West Virginia|Ohio County]] *[[Marshall County, West Virginia|Marshall County]] Most West Virginians also include [[Wetzel County, West Virginia|Wetzel County]], directly to the south of Marshall County, as a part of the Northern Panhandle, although it does not lie strictly within the northern extension. [http://www.westvirginiatourist.net/assets/images/WVRegions.gif] Important towns within the Northern Panhandle include [[Wheeling, West Virginia|Wheeling]], [[Weirton, West Virginia|Weirton]], and [[Moundsville, West Virginia|Moundsville]]. The region houses three four-year colleges—the [[state university|public]] [[West Liberty University]] and the private [[Bethany College (West Virginia)|Bethany College]] and [[Wheeling Jesuit University]]. All five counties listed in this article, plus [[Tyler County, West Virginia|Tyler County]], are in the service area of [[West Virginia Northern Community College]]. In the late 19th century, the Northern Panhandle developed as an industrial area, especially in the manufacturing of steel and glass products. It still largely retains its industrial character, although many of its factories have closed down or fallen on hard times like others in the [[Rust Belt]]. The region also contains the [[Panhandle Coalfield]]. == See also == * [[Yohogania County]] {{Northern Panhandle of West Virginia}} {{West Virginia}} {{American panhandles}} {{coord missing|West Virginia}}