Richmond/Petersburg, Virginia April 1998 The city of Richmond is located on the border of the physiographic regions of the Piedmont and the coastal plain. It is situated at the head of navigation on the James River. The city of Petersburg is located on the upper left of the image. The estuary of the James River is visible just below and left of the city. Petersburg is situated on the Appomattox River. Numerous Interstate Highways and other major highway transportation routes are discernible passing around and through both cities. Interstate Highway 295 is visible traversing north and south around the eastern sides of both cities. Swift Creek Reservoir is visible to the west of Richmond and Petersburg