Washington (original) (raw)

Alternate meanings: George Washington, Washington, D.C, Other places called Washington

Washington

(In Detail) (Full size)
State nickname: Evergreen State
Other U.S. States
Capital Olympia
Largest City Seattle
Governor Gary Locke
Area - Total - Land - Water - % water Ranked 18th184,824 km�172,587 km�12,237 km�6.6%
Population - Total (2000) - Density Ranked 15th 5,894,121 32/km�
Admittance into Union - Order - Date 42nd November 11, 1889
Time zone Pacific: UTC-8/-7
LatitudeLongitude 45°32' N to 49� N116°57' W to 124°48' W
WidthLengthElevation-Highest-Mean-Lowest 385 km 580 km 4,392 meters520 meters0 meters
ISO 3166-2: US-WA

Washington is a state located in the northwestern United States. It should not be confused with Washington, D.C, the capital of the USA. While the state capital is Olympia, the largest city in Washington is Seattle. As of the 2000 census, the state population is approximately 5.9 million. Residents are called "Washingtonians".

The USS Washington was named in honor of this state.

History

In 1853, the Washington Territory was formed from part of the Oregon Territory. Washington became the 42nd state in the United States on November 11, 1889.

Geography

See: List of Washington counties

Washington shares borders with the Pacific Ocean to the west, Oregon to the south, Idaho to the east, and British Columbia, Canada to the north. Washington is famous for scenery of breathtaking beauty and sharp contrasts. High mountains rise above evergreen forests and sparkling coastal waters. Its coastal location and Puget Sound harbors give it a leading role in trade with Alaska, Canada, and the Pacific Rim. Puget Sound's many islands are served by the largest state ferry fleet in the country.

Washington is a land of contrasts. The deep forests of the Olympic Peninsula are among the rainiest places in the world, but the flat semi-desert land that lies east of the Cascade Mountains stretches for long distances without a single tree. Snow-covered peaks tower above the foothills and lowlands around them. Mount Rainier, the highest mountain in the state, appears to "float" on the horizon southeast of Seattle and Tacoma on clear days.

Important cities and towns

See also Washington City Government

Education

Colleges and universities

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Antioch University Seattle

Professional sports teams

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Seattle Seahawks, National Football League

Arts and culture

Major highways