11 Things Every West Virginian Wants The Rest Of The Country To Know

West Virginia is too often misunderstood and the punchline of jokes. People who don't live here don't always know what to expect from West Virginia, so here are some things we'd like you to know.

1. Don't just drive through here on the way to somewhere else.

If you stop for a while, you'll see some of the extraordinary beauty our great state has to offer.

2. Don't forget about the Northern Panhandle...

There are many fascinating places to visit, like the Palace of Gold, the West Virginia Penitentiary, and an ancient burial mound.

3. ...or the Eastern Panhandle.

Visit the historical towns of Berkeley Springs, Harpers Ferry, Shepherdstown, and Charles Town.

4. Try a pepperoni roll.

Once you try one, you'll taste why our state is in love with this delicious snack.

5. We'll do anything to serve our country.

West Virginia is one of the states with the most veterans in the US, with approximately 9 percent of the population having served in the military.

6. We're educated.

West Virginia is home to some of our country's best universities, and the Golden Horseshoe program inspires knowledge about our history.

7. We work hard.

Coal miners are some of the hardest working people you'll ever meet, and many of them are now hoping for new jobs to turn our economy around.

8. We're not hillbillies... we're Mountaineers!

We might sometimes call ourselves hillbillies, but when others say it, it always seems to be derogatory.

9. The term "Redneck" has an important history.

We may not be hillbillies, but we're proud to be rednecks. The term goes back to the Mine Wars when miners fighting to unionize wore red bandanas. You can learn more and purchase bandanas from the Mine Wars Museum.

10. We love our state.

You'll never find another group of people so proud of their state as West Virginians. And finally...

11. There IS a state of West Virginia.

Since June 20, 1863. It's incredible how many people have forgotten their grade school geography.

Has this inspired you to learn more about West Virginia? Here are 11 things in West Virginia that you won't find anywhere else.