Norfolk, USA

Norfolk is a port city at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, in the southeastern part of the state of Virginia, USA. The population is 238 832 (2006). Founded in 1682, but during the War of Independence it was almost completely burned down by the rebels; of the city from the colonial era only a church with a wall riddled by cannon shot has survived.

Norfolk is the main U.S. Atlantic Fleet naval base, a shipbuilding hub, and a major port. In the port of Norfolk are the headquarters of NATO’s Allied Forces Command for the Atlantic.

There are practically no attractions in Norfolk. One of the few is the Nauticus Marine Museum, opened in June 1994. The museum is located near the cruise terminal and includes a science-and-entertainment children’s center with a marine theme, an aquarium, and interactive exhibits. There is also an excellent souvenir shop and a restaurant.

In Norfolk you can also visit the Chrysler Museum of Art with a large collection of artworks, where fascinating exhibitions are held on an ongoing basis; take a guided tour of the naval base, where you will see majestic aircraft carriers, destroyers, and frigates, and learn many interesting things; and take a stroll through the magnificent Botanical Garden surrounding Lake Whitehurst.

The climate in Virginia is quite mild compared to other regions of the United States. In Norfolk, the climate is moderate maritime, with average daytime temperatures of +5 °C in winter months and +26 °C in summer.

Weather disasters are not uncommon in Norfolk-heavy snowfalls and hurricanes.