Washington
Evergreen State · Capital: Olympia · West (Pacific)
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Bordering states: Idaho, Oregon.
About Washington
Washington sits on the Pacific coast, with Canada to the north along the 49th parallel, Oregon across the Columbia River and Idaho to the east. The Cascade Range splits it in two: Douglas fir, Puget Sound and Seattle to the west, sagebrush steppe, orchards and wheat to the east. The Hoh Rain Forest collects 140 to 170 inches of rain a year, while Yakima gets under nine. Mount Rainier, at 14,411 feet, is the high point, and Mount St. Helens lost its north flank in the eruption of May 18, 1980.
Coast Salish peoples such as the Duwamish and Nisqually lived along Puget Sound, and the Yakama and Nez Perce held the plateau. Britain and the United States shared the region until the Oregon Treaty of 1846 set the border at the 49th parallel. Settlers asked for a territory called Columbia, but Congress named it Washington in 1853. Governor Isaac Stevens's treaties of 1854 and 1855 reserved tribal fishing rights, which the Boldt decision of 1974 enforced. Washington became the forty-second state on November 11, 1889, and the Klondike gold rush of 1897 made Seattle an outfitting port.
The 2020 census counted 7,705,281 residents, up 14.6 percent since 2010. Olympia is the capital and Seattle the largest city. Microsoft, founded by Seattle natives Bill Gates and Paul Allen, moved to the area in 1979, and Amazon began in a Bellevue garage in 1994. The state grows around two thirds of the apples eaten in the United States. Jimi Hendrix was born in Seattle in 1942. Washington is the only state named for a president, and its flag, the only state flag with a green field, carries his portrait.
4 fun facts about Washington
- Starbucks and Amazon are headquartered in Seattle, and Microsoft in nearby Redmond.
- The state grows over 2/3 of US apples and is the leading producer of cherries, raspberries, and pears.
- Mount Rainier (14,411 ft) is an active volcano; its last confirmed eruption was about 1,000 years ago, and eruptions reported in the 1890s were never confirmed.
- Olympic National Park contains three distinct ecosystems (rainforest, alpine, coast) within a single park.
More about Washington
Washington geography and climate
More fun facts about Washington
Frequently asked questions about Washington
Is Washington a US state?
Yes, Washington is one of the 50 US states. It was admitted to the Union in 1889, making it the 42nd state. Its capital is Olympia and its largest city is Seattle.
What is the capital of Washington?
The capital of Washington is Olympia. Note that the largest city in Washington is Seattle, not the capital, a common point of confusion.
When did Washington become a state?
Washington became a US state in 1889. It is the 42nd state admitted to the Union.
What is the abbreviation for Washington?
The 2-letter USPS abbreviation for Washington is WA.
How big is Washington?
Washington ranks #18 of 50 US states by area. With 115.9 residents per square mile in 2020, it was the 22nd most densely populated state.
What is the population of Washington?
Washington had 7,705,281 residents at the 2020 census, the 13th largest population of the 50 states, up 14.6% since 2010. That count gives it 10 seats in the US House of Representatives.
What region is Washington in?
Washington is in the West region of the United States, per the US Census Bureau.
What time zone is Washington in?
Washington observes Pacific Time.
Learn more
How to learn the 50 states (full guide)
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