Located in the southeastern part of the state, Chesapeake is the third largest city in Virginia. This city covers an area of 351 square miles and has an estimated population of 233,000, with over 1.6 million in the surrounding metropolitan area. Being located in close proximity to the first and second largest cities in the state, Chesapeake forms part of the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The city was originally known as South Norfolk, but officially became Chesapeake in 1963 and was named after the Native American tribe of the same name. Despite being a large city, Chesapeake is known for its large green spaces and wetlands, being a prime location for recreational activities like hiking and boating.