Overlooking the beautiful Potomac River is the great urban expanse known as Fairfax County. It is the largest county in Virginia, and one of the largest in the entire nation. Fairfax County has a deep-rooted American heritage which is evident in the culture and life of the area. The county is ever-growing and so is the economy. Fairfax County is made up of strong, motivated professionals and tradesmen and their families -- the estimated population in 2005 was 1,041,200. This thriving environment is a wonderful place to live and flourish in.  

Location
Fairfax County is located in northern Virginia bordering the beautiful Potomac River on its eastern borders as well as the city of Alexandria and Arlington County. It is the largest county in Virginia and one of the largest in the nation. There are 3 incorporated towns, 2 independent cities, and several unincorporated communities within Fairfax County. To the northwest is Loudoun County and to the southwest is Prince William County. Our nation’s capital, Washington D.C., and the state of Maryland are just a mere 5-mile drive northeast, across the Potomac River. 

Geography/Terrain
Fairfax County overlooks the beautiful and scenic Potomac River. The large urban county is centrally located adjacent to the diverse and thriving independent city of Alexandria and the large, urban county of Fairfax. Just a 5-mile drive away, Washington D.C., the nation’s capital, is just a hop, skip and a jump away.  

Fairfax County is the largest county in Virginia and one of the largest in the nation, encompassing a whopping 407 square miles -- 395 square miles of land and 12 square miles of water.  

Distance to 3 closest major cities
Fairfax County is just a 5-mile drive across the Potomac to the nation’s capital, Washington D.C. The closest nearby major city is Baltimore, Maryland which is an hour’s drive northeast of Fairfax County, or 56 miles. Other nearby major cities include Richmond, the capital of Virginia, is 99 miles to the south, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is 156 miles northeast. 

Jobs
Fairfax County, like the rest of northern Virginia and southern Maryland, has been shaped by its proximity to our nation’s capital, Washington D.C. Most residents are tradesmen or professionals working for the federal civil service, the federal government, the military, or one of the many contract support companies established in the area. Fort Belvoir, located in southern Fairfax, is the largest employer of residents of Fairfax. The top 5 private employers in the county are Inova Health System, Northrop Grumman, Booz Allen Hamilton, Science Applications International Corporation and Freddie Mac. Fairfax County is also home to such companies as Sprint Nextel, Capital One, and Exxon-Mobil. The job market is competitive, but employment is on the rise as the metropolitan area gained 60,400 jobs since 2005.

Housing
There are a great variety of housing options in Fairfax County -- cozy condos and apartments, modern single and multi-family homes, and even spacious multi-acre estates! If you’re looking to relocate your business or for a real estate investment opportunity, there are plenty of commercial spaces available -- from the traditional retail / office setting to the empty, ready-to-use-as-you-wish warehouse. You name it, Fairfax County’s got it.  

Parks/Sports/Recreation/Golf
Fairfax County boasts over 400 lush, green parks and open spaces encompassing a whopping 23,677 acres of land. Outdoor enthusiasts, enjoy! There are several lakefront parks to visit, such as Burke Lake Park featuring fishing and boating activities, campgrounds, volleyball courts and more. Each park and open space area has its own special attributes. For instance, Frying Pan Park is unique as it offers Kidwell Farm, a working farm from the 1920s. Another example is Colvin Run, where you can see the inner workings of an operating grist mill. 

If indoor activities are more your style, take advantage of the 9 RECenters such as Audrey Moore RECenter which offers such amenities as an indoor pool, spa and sauna, racquetball, handball, wallyball and squash courts and a pottery lab. Or the Oak Marr RECenter which features, among other things, a beach and wading area. 

There are several historic sites to visit in Fairfax County. For example, Sully Historic Site is a state landmark. Built back in 1794 -- it is preserved with antique furnishings from the period. Another site to find a bit of history in is the Fairfax County Museum which houses such exhibits as Collections of Civil War Tree Carvings.  

If golf is your game, then you’re in the right county! There are a total of 63 area golf courses with breathtaking views overlooking the Potomac River in Fairfax County -- 6 of which are award-winning golf courses: the Country Club of Fairfax offers a challenging 18-hole course featuring 6,639 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71; the Westfield Golf Club offers an 18-hole course featuring 6,897 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71; the Stonewall Golf Club offers an 18-hole course featuring 7,002 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72; the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club offers an 18-hole course with 7,289 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72; the Congressional Country Club offers two 18-hole courses featuring 7,245 yards of golf from the longest tee for a par of 70, and 6,588 yards of golf from the longest tee for a par of 70 respectively; the Raspberry Falls Golf and Hunt Club offers an 18-hole course featuring 7,191 yards of golf from the longest tees for a part of 72. 

Special Attractions/Events
In Fairfax County, you’ll find interesting attractions for every member of the family. There are many sites of historic interest including St. Mary’s Church which was built in 1858; Mount Gilead House, a tavern and meeting place for militia of the 18th century; and Fairfax County Court House which was used as headquarters throughout the Civil War. 

Visit one of the 11 world-class museums in the county. The National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center houses some of the most famous air and space crafts in the world. Gum Springs Historical Society and Museum is a prominent, well-known museum celebrating the history of the black community. The Fairfax Station Railroad Museum is unique in its reconstruction of the 18th century building that served as a base during the Civil War. 

Fairfax County is known to have “the best shopping south of Manhattan.” There are more than 200 shopping centers to peruse, with items and products for every budget. From high fashion boutiques to the best second hand stores in America, you’ll find what you are looking for in Fairfax County. 

Interesting Facts/Historic Buildings and Places
Fairfax County is the largest county in Virginia, and one of the largest counties in the entire nation. The county is the most populous area in the greater Washington D.C. area. 

Famous people born in Fairfax County include astronaut Catherine Coleman, professional basketball player Grant Hill, and supermodel Julia Oberon.