Petersburg, Virginia is a small city located in the south-central part of the state, about 20 miles south of Richmond. It is situated on the Appomattox River and is part of the Richmond-Petersburg metropolitan area. The city has a population of approximately 32,000 people and covers an area of about 10 square miles.

The city was founded in 1748 and was named after Peter Jones, a prominent local landowner. Petersburg quickly grew to become an important port city due to its location at the head of navigation on the Appomattox River. During the Civil War, Petersburg was an important supply center for Confederate forces and was besieged by Union forces for nine months before finally falling in April 1865.

Today, Petersburg is home to several historic sites including Old Towne Petersburg Historic District, which contains many buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. The Siege Museum commemorates the Civil War siege and includes artifacts from that time period. Other attractions include Centre Hill Mansion, Poplar Grove National Cemetery, and Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier.

Petersburg also has a vibrant arts scene with several galleries and performance venues such as The Center for Arts & Culture at Virginia State University and The Sycamore Rouge Theatre Company. There are also several parks throughout the city including Pocahontas Island Park which offers views of both downtown Petersburg and Fort Lee across the river.

Overall, Petersburg is a charming small city with plenty to offer visitors looking for history, culture, or outdoor activities.