Virginia Beach is located east of
Norfolk on the Atlantic Ocean in SE Virginia along Highway 58. Virginia Beach was a desolate strip of sand in the 1870s, its only notoriety being that of a graveyard for ships lost along the Atlantic coast, when Congress authorized the construction of four lifesaving stations in the area. Seatack Lifesaving Station developed into the community of Virginia Beach. A merger of Virginia Beach with Princess Anne County created a city with a 29-mile-long coastline; the resort offers an excellent beach and 3 miles of boardwalk. Fishing is prime here, and the region is noted for seafood, especially the Lynnhaven oyster. Seashore State Park and
False Cape State Park are nearby.
