The terrain is overall very flat, ranging from sea level to just above sea level. It is characterized by
sandy and deep soil. The weather in the area has temperate summers and winters, significantly affected by the
Chesapeake Bay and the
Atlantic Ocean. The rural area has long been devoted to
cotton,
soybean, vegetable and
truck farming, and large-scale chicken farms. Since the late 20th century, vineyards have been developed in both counties, and the Eastern Shore has received recognition as an
American Viticultural Area (AVA). The region has more than 78,000 acres of preserved parks, refuges, preserves and a national seashore and is a popular outdoor recreation destination for fishing, boating, hiking and kayaking. It is also an important birding hotspot along the
Atlantic Flyway at the southernmost tip of the Delmarva Peninsula. There are public beaches at
Cape Charles,
Kiptopeke State Park,
Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve,
Tangier Island and the
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge abutting the
Assateague Island National Seashore. at
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge The area includes 70 miles of
barrier islands, the longest chain of undeveloped barrier islands in the global temperate zone and a United Nations International Biosphere Reserve. At the northern end of the Atlantic side is the beach community of
Chincoteague, famous for its annual
wild pony roundup, gathered from
Assateague Island.
Wallops Flight Facility, a
NASA space launch base, is located near Chincoteague. At the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay coast, the beach community of
Cape Charles, a historic railroad town, is home to the Cape Charles Yacht Center, a super yacht service center. The town of
Wachapreague on the Atlantic coast is a popular destination for fishing and guided trips out to the wild barrier islands.
Onancock, a harbor town on the Chesapeake Bay, has a ferry service to
Tangier Island, off the western shore in the Chesapeake Bay, during spring, summer and fall. ==Culture==