Norfolk, independent city in southeastern Virginia, located at the mouth of the James, Elizabeth, and Nansemond rivers. Situated on the natural waterway called Hampton Roads, the city is near the outlet of Chesapeake Bay on the Atlantic Ocean. Mile Zero of the Atlantic portion of the scenic Intracoastal Waterway is located on Norfolk's harbor. The city is linked to the Delmarva Peninsula by the 28-km (17-mi) long Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which opened in 1964. With the cities of Hampton, Newport News, and Portsmouth, to which it is linked by bridge, tunnel, and ferry services, Norfolk forms the Port of Hampton Roads, one of the principal commercial ports in the United States.
Norfolk is a major seaport and an important military center, having one of the world's largest concentrations of naval installations. An Armed Forces Staff College and the Atlantic headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are also located in the city. The Norfolk Naval Shipyard is across the Elizabeth River, in Portsmouth. A network of railroads and highways converge on the Norfolk-Portsmouth Harbor, making it a leading grain-shipping point on the East Coast. The region also comprises one of the world's largest coal-exporting ports. International trade, financial services, tourism, ship repair, and manufacturing are also important to the economy. Manufactures include processed food and industrial machines. The area is served by Norfolk International Airport.
