West Virginia, a state in the Southern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, is the 10th-smallest state by area and the 12th-least populous state. Its capital and most populous city is Charleston, with a population of 49,055. Admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863, it was a key border state during the American Civil War. Notably, West Virginia was the only state to separate from a Confederate state and one of two states admitted to the Union during the Civil War. The state is known for its mountains, rolling hills, coal mining, and logging industries, as well as its political and labor history. West Virginia offers a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities, including skiing, whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking, and hunting. Historically, the state heavily supported the Democratic Party but has since become heavily Republican at the federal level. West Virginia's history includes ancient manmade earthen mounds from various prehistoric mound builder cultures and conflicts with European settlers, resulting in various displaced Native tribes settling in the region. The area was part of the British Virginia Colony from 1607 to 1776 and the western part of the state of Virginia from 1776 to 1863, before West Virginia's formation. Residents of the region were discontented for years with their position in Virginia due to electoral malapportionment and underrepresentation in the state legislature.

The West Memphis Three, consisting of Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley Jr., and Jason Baldwin, gained notoriety after being wrongfully convicted as teenagers for the 1993 murders of three young boys in West Memphis, Arkansas. The case garnered widespread attention due to the dubious evidence, lack of physical proof linking the men to the crime, and allegations of emotional bias during the trial. The prosecution claimed that the murders were part of a Satanic ritual, sparking controversy and leading to the release of several documentaries on the case. Notably, celebrities and musicians organized fundraisers to support their cause. In 2007, new forensic evidence emerged, and in 2011, the West Memphis Three entered Alford pleas, asserting their innocence while acknowledging the presence of enough evidence to convict them. They were subsequently released with 10-year suspended sentences after serving 18 years in prison. The tragic deaths of eight-year-old boys Steve Branch, Christopher Byers, and Michael Moore, who were friends and Cub Scouts, remain a haunting part of this case.

West Yorkshire is a metropolitan and ceremonial county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, with an area of 2,029 km2 and a population of 2.3 million. The largest settlements include Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, and Wakefield. The county is governed by five metropolitan boroughs and is characterized by urban and rural areas. West Yorkshire has a rich industrial history, attracting people over the centuries, and remnants of coal, wool, and iron ore industries can still be seen in the county's architecture. The area is connected by several railways and motorways. West Yorkshire County Council was abolished in 1986, and its five districts became unitary authorities. Since 1 April 2014, West Yorkshire has been a combined authority area, with local authorities pooling some functions over transport and regeneration as the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The first Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, was elected on 6 May 2021. The county borders Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire, and North Yorkshire. West Yorkshire's terrain consists of the Pennines, foothills, and the Vale of York and Humberhead Levels. The county offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes, with dramatic interplay of views between settlements and surrounding hillsides. The area has also been the inspiration for various literary and artistic works, including those of the Brontë family and David Hockney.

The West Midlands is a metropolitan and ceremonial county in the West Midlands region of England. It is bordered by Staffordshire to the north and west, Worcestershire to the south, and Warwickshire to the east. The largest settlement is Birmingham, with a population of 2,953,816, making it the second most populous county in England. Other significant cities include Coventry, Wolverhampton, Solihull, and Sutton Coldfield. The county is almost entirely urban, but the 'Meriden Gap' between the West Midlands and Coventry built-up areas is rural. The county comprises seven metropolitan boroughs: Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton, which collaborate through the West Midlands Combined Authority. The area has historical importance, with Coventry being a significant city during the Middle Ages and Birmingham and Wolverhampton having a tradition of industry dating back to the 16th century. The West Midlands has undergone substantial reform in local government and is now served by the West Midlands Combined Authority, headed by a directly elected Mayor, Richard Parker. The county is also home to the West Midlands Police, the West Midlands Fire Service, and Transport for West Midlands. Geographically, the county is on the eastern side of the larger West Midlands region, which also comprises Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire.

West Francia, also known as the Kingdom of the West Franks, marked the initial phase of the Kingdom of France from 843 to 987, following the Treaty of Verdun. It emerged from the division of the Carolingian Empire after the death of Louis the Pious, with its neighboring region, East Francia, evolving into the Kingdom of Germany. The kingdom extended beyond the boundaries of modern-day France, encompassing regions to the north and south but not as far east. It excluded territories such as Lorraine, Burgundy, Alsace, Provence, and Brittany. The rulers of West Francia were elected by secular and ecclesiastic magnates, and over time, the power of the king waned, leading to the establishment of the Capetian dynasty in 987. This marked the gradual transition towards the Kingdom of France. The term "Regnum Francorum" eventually evolved into "Regnum Francia" by the 13th century, signifying the kingdom of France. The kingdom's boundaries were further expanded with the addition of the western part of Lotharingia through the Treaty of Mersen in 870. After the death of Carloman II, Charles the Fat, who was already king in East Francia and the Kingdom of Italy, was elected as the king of West Francia in 884. His reign briefly unified all of Francia under one ruler, but his handling of the Viking siege of Paris in 885–86 diminished his