Perhaps one of the more bizarre facts about Chesapeake is that it’s the burial place of dead animals from the Virginia Zoo in neighboring Norfolk. The burial ground is on the grounds of a tree farm within the City, although the exact location is under wraps to prevent the theft of skulls and other precious animal parts like ivory.

In 1983, scientists discovered an enormous 53-mile wide crater in the Chesapeake Bay, within miles of the city limits. Estimates pinpoint the crater’s age to 35 million years, and the impact, if it occurred today, would cause a mass extinction, including plant and animal life. Scientists also claim that the initial collision would have killed everything living thing within a 100-mile radius.

To promote cultural and commercial ties, many cities around the world have a sister city. Chesapeake’s is Joinville, Brazil. Located in southern Brazil in the Santa Catarina State, Joinville is a rare sight in the South American country because of its distinct German heritage. It is also regarded as one of the richest cities on the continent.

Although Chesapeake is by no means one of the largest cities in the country per population, it is the 11th biggest in the area. The City encompasses 353 square miles with over 100,000 people, making it one of the least densely populated cities in the country.

While profanity is not acceptable in any public setting, it will get you into legal trouble in Chesapeake. As late as 2012, people have been charged with using profane, threatening, or indecent language over public airwaves. If you ever get heated about a political debate on talk radio, make sure you do not have a slip of the tongue if you decide to call in.

Based on statistics of violent crime compiled by the FBI, Chesapeake is the fifth safest city in the country, meaning you will not have to worry about forgetting to lock the door to run a quick errand. On top of that, Money Magazine ranked Chesapeake as the sixth-most livable City in the United States.