The State of Washington

Washington, the 42nd state, was admitted to the union on November 11, 1889. It boasts a population of around 6 million, the 15th most populous state in the United States. Inhabited long before statehood by numerous Native American tribes, the first European explorers began charting Washington's 66,582 square miles as early as 1775. In 1792, Robert Gray created the modern-day border between Washington and Oregon with the naming of the Columbia River. (He named the river after his favorite ship.) Washington was also visited in 1805-06 by the historic expedition of Lewis and Clark. An expedition commonly believed to have the simple goal of reaching the Pacific Ocean and exploring the Louisiana Purchase, in reality, it cemented America's forefathers' belief in manifest destiny and brought the Pacific Northwest under the control of the American flag.

Geographically, the Cascade Mountain Range divides Washington into two diverse, yet equal areas. Western Washington enjoys wet, mild seasons and plenty of rain - however, the state actually receives far less than its harsh reputation allows. Late spring, summer, and early fall are typically gorgeous seasons in Western Washington, with clear, bright days, but none of the harsh, uncomfortable heat other dry areas in the country are known for. Eastern Washington's weather is quite different from the West. The weather dries out as it moves east over the Cascade Mountains, and in some parts of the state, it rains less than 10 inches a year.

The difference in the weather helps to account for the differences in the state's economy. While fishing, manufacturing, and logging are all important industries in the west, they play relatively minor rolls in the east, where farming and mining are more prevalent. Washington's two areas may seem distinct and irreconcilable, however, they are joined together by the large expanses of wild life and natural vegetation that help Washington garner the nickname as The Evergreen State. Forest covers a good portion of the geographical land area, with all types of animals, trees, and flowers living in varied environments. Mix the forests with the sky-scraping mountain peaks of the Cascade Range, the long, dry plateaus east of the mountains, and the rich, green foliage that slope down to meet the sandy beaches of Washington's coast, and Washington is created.

The capitol of Washington is Olympia, which is located about an hour south of Seattle at the tip of Puget Sound. With 11 electoral votes, Washington has kept the same constitution since the state's inception. With 268 towns and cities, there are 39 counties in Washington. Besides Seattle, other important cities in the state include Spokane and Tacoma, which are currently in a race for the position of 2nd most populated city. Bellingham, Longview, and Vancouver are also important centers of industry and commerce.

Interesting Facts:

State flower: Coast Rhododendron
State dance: Square dance
State song: "Washington, My Home"
State gem: Petrified Wood