The Commonwealth of Virginia, located within the United States of America, utilizes area codes as a crucial component of its telephone numbering plan. These numerical prefixes, assigned by the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), precede the seven-digit local phone number to uniquely identify a specific geographic region for routing telephone calls. For example, a number might begin with 703, indicating a location within Northern Virginia.
These area codes facilitate efficient communication networks by enabling telecommunications providers to direct calls to the correct destination. The implementation of these codes has evolved alongside the growth of the population and the increasing demand for telephone services. Historically, regions with higher populations or rapid growth have necessitated the introduction of new codes through splits or overlays to accommodate the expanding number of telephone subscribers.