Charlottesville is located in
Albemarle County and it is the county seat. The city is situated northwest of
Richmond on I64 in the
Central Region of the state;
Lake Anna and
Lake Anna are nearby.
Historic Charlottesville, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, was the home of Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. The University of Virginia, founded and designed by Jefferson and first governed by a board whose membership included Jefferson, James Monroe and James Madison, enhances the city.
Many old homes and estates in the surrounding countryside reveal Jefferson's architectural influence; the Old Courthouse is a notable example. Albermarle County is known for its horses, dogs and fox hunting as well as its peach and apple orchards.
Charlottesville is part of the Charlottesville, Virginia metro area.
