The MSA is dominated by the presence of Virginia Tech and Radford University. The area, known as the New River Valley (or NRV), has experienced tremendous growth in the last twenty years and continues to be among the fastest growing areas in Virginia. It is bordered by the Allegheny Mountains to the North and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the South, with the New River flowing through the valley itself. The central communities in the area consist of two towns and one city; state law draws a sharp distinction between cities, which are completely separate from counties, and towns, which are contained within counties. Blacksburg, the larger of the towns, is home to Virginia Tech, while Radford, the only city in the group, is home to Radford University. Christiansburg, a town which lies between Blacksburg and Radford, is the Montgomery County county seat and home to a branch of the New River Community College as well as hundreds of stores and restaurants and a historic downtown.