<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> West Virginia is one of two American states formed during the American Civil War (1861--1865), along with Nevada, and is the only state to form by seceding from a Confederate state . It was originally part of the British Virginia Colony (1607--1776) and the western part of the state of Virginia (1776--1863), whose population became sharply divided over the issue of secession from the Union and in the separation from Virginia, formalized by admittance to the Union as a new state in 1863 . West Virginia was one of the Civil War Border states . </P> <P> West Virginia's history was profoundly affected by its mountainous terrain, spectacular river valleys, and rich natural resources . These were all factors driving its economy and the lifestyles of residents, as well as drawing visitors to the "Mountain State" in the early 21st century . </P>

When did west virginia split off from virginia