Newport News

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Newport News City on the James River, se Virginia, USA. It comprises the Port of Hampton Roads, together with Norfolk and Portsmouth. First settled in 1621 by Irish colonists, it was the scene of the US Civil War naval battle of Hampton Roads between the warships Monitor and Merrimack (1862). It later grew in importance as a coal-shipping port. Newport News is one of world's largest shipbuilding and repair centres. Industries: food processing, metal products, building materials, textiles, paper, oil refining. Pop. (2000) 180,150.

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