The Colony of Virginia was the first permanent English settlement in North America, established in 1607. It was founded by the Virginia Company and located at Jamestown, named after Queen Elizabeth I, the "Virgin Queen." The colony played a crucial role in the early development of the United States and was known for its tobacco cultivation, which became a significant cash crop. Over the years, the colony expanded and became a center for trade and agriculture. It was governed by a series of colonial charters and had a representative assembly, known as the House of Burgesses, established in 1619, which marked the beginning of self-governance in America.