Washington State

- Capital: Olympia
- Governor: Chris Gregoire
- Population (2007): 6,488,0002007 Data Book: Washington State General Info
- Land Area in Square Miles: 66,544.062007 Data Book: Washington State General Info
- Density (Persons per Square Mile-2007): 97.52007 Data Book: Washington State General Info
- Founded: November 11, 1889
- Time zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- Major cities: Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Spokane
- Official state items: Coast Rhododendron (flower), Western Hemlock (tree), Steelhead Trout (fish), Petrified Wood (gem), Apple (fruit), Orca (marine mammal)
- Nickname: The Evergreen StateAbout.com: Washington State Nickname

Washington State is the 18th largest state in the United States. It is located in the Pacific Northwest, bordered by Oregon and Idaho. It is the only state named after a President. Major businesses in the area include jet aircraft (due to Boeing), computer software development (due to Microsoft, Amazon.com and Nintendo), biotechnology, aluminum production, lumber and wood products and mining.

This state is divided by the Cascade Range which runs north to south. To the west of the Cascade Range , often referred to as Western Washington, a marine west coast climate prevails with mild temperatures, wet winters with usually some snow and dry summers. There are dense forests with an area on the Olympic Peninsula that has the Hoh Rain Forest. In contrast , the area just east of the Cascades is somewhat dry with some desert; however, as you go more to the east you will see more moisture and grassland that is covered with farmlands. There are also forests and some mountainous areas in this area known as Eastern Washington. [1]

There are 5 vocanic mountains in Washington: Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams. All of these mountains are considered as active volcanoes but only Mount St. Helens is considered as erupting. Also, Mount Rainier, being the highest mountain in the state is said to be covered with more glacial ice than any other peak in the lower 48 states. [2]
History

It was the 42nd state admitted to the Union, on November 11, 1889. Prior to arrival of European explorers, the area was had many Native American settlers, including Chinook, Lummi, Quinault, Makah, Quileute, and Snohomish. The Plateau tribes include the Cayuse, Nez Percé, Okanogan, Palouse, Spokane, Wenatchee, and Yakima. Today the state has 20 Native American Reservations. During World War II, the Puget Sound area became very important due to the Boeing Company producing the nation's heavy bombers and ports in Seattle, Bremerton, Vancouver, and Tacoma.
Washington State's Official...
1. Flower: Coast Rhododendron
2. Tree: Western Hemlock
3. Bird: Willow Goldfinch
4. Song: Washington, My Home
5. Fish: Steelhead Trout
6. Gem: Petrified Wood
7. Dance: Square Dance
8. Folk Song: Roll On, Columbia, Roll On
9. Fruit: Apple
10. Grass: Bluebunch Wheatgrass
11. Insect: Green Darner Dragonfly
12. Fossil: Columbian Mammoth
13. Marine Mammal: Orca
14. Amphibianamphibian: Pseudacris regilla
15. Ship: Lady Washington
Little Known Facts

There is a Petrified Forest called Ginkgo at the base of the Cascade Mountains, near town of Vantage.unusal-washington-state-facts
The NE portion of the state has prime wheat farming area which was land given by the federal government to the Nez Perce Indian Tribe. This land produces more wheat per acre than any other area in the world.unusal-washington-state-facts
The Federal Government built the town of Richland to support The Manhatton Project which created fuel for one of the atomic bombs.unusal-washington-state-facts
The state is named in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States but did you know that there were towns of George and Martha in Washington? Martha no longer exists. George was home to outdoor music events.
Point Roberts, an unincorporated community in Whatcom County, WA USA can only be reached from the US by boat or by traveling thru Canada.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/point_roberts_washington
There is an old law that bans lollipops in Washington.http://www.rcasteel.com/StrangeThings/laws.aspx

Mt Rainier National Park

A musical trip in Mt Rainier National Park

Comments (1)

motherjj added a comment November 16, 2009 06:55 PM
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Love this music and the tranquil scenes of Mount Rainier National Park, at the base of the park is a small town Enumclaw which is a nice place to visit.

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Peace Arch Between U.S. and Canada

A pictorial of the Peace Arch gardens near Blaine, WA on the boarder between US and Canada

Comments (1)

motherjj added a comment November 16, 2009 06:51 PM
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This is one of the most peaceful places to go, the gardens are beautiful, have you been there?
Also, on the waterfront in Blaine, there is the best Fish & Chips.

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Washington State News
- Analysts: Only minor Dreamliner issues
  
  ... were noted with the brakes and landing gear on the jet during its two-hour test flight, according to radio transmissions monitored by The Seattle Times. ... (December 23, 2009)
  UPI.com
- Police still looking for man in Seattle killing
  
  The woman was identified Wednesday as 28-year-old Jennifer Morgan, The Seattle Times reports. Police are continuing to search for 29-year-old Daniel Thomas ... (December 23, 2009)
  The Columbian
- The Seattle Times On Trade With Cuba
  
  But I could have learned those facts from reading the New York Times, or even the Seattle Times, which has covered Senator Cantwell's efforts to expand ... (December 23, 2009)
  Sound Politics (blog)
- Wounded deputies called family men, good officers
  
  "I saw Nick this morning; he's in good spirits," Erb told The Seattle Times. "He's looking fine. He's actually more worried about his partner than himself. ... (December 23, 2009)
  Seattle Times
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Seattle's Famous Pikes Place Market

This You Tube video is being presented by Delta Airlines on one of the most popular attractions of Seattle, Pkies Place Market. Enjoy

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Washington State News
- Washington state population grows 13% since 2000
  
  Washington state's population has grown by 13 percent since 2000 and now has 6.7 million people, according to figures released today by the US Census Bureau ... (December 23, 2009)
  Seattle Times
- WSU Basketball: Cougs Play As A Team In OT Win over LSU 72-70
  
  One word says it all when describing the play of Washington State. Despite a shaky start, WSU took a 36-30 lead into the locker room at the half. ... (December 23, 2009)
  Bleacher Report
- More clout for Washington?
  
  Nothing is certain until the actual count is taken next year, but if the analysis out of Olympia is right, Washington state will have another vote in the ... (December 23, 2009)
  The Spokesman Review
- Final thoughts on Tuesday's action
  
  San Diego State avoided a possibly disastrous loss to a middling Missouri Valley team by beating Drake in overtime on the road by 3. * Washington State beat ... (December 23, 2009)
  ESPN (blog)
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Washington State on Amazon
- Washington State Cougars Athletic Oxford Long Sleeve T-Shirt (Small, Athletic Oxford) - $19.99
  
  The Soffe Oxford Grey Long Sleeve T-Shirt with College Screen Print is the perfect way to show school spirt when the weather starts to turn cool.
  
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- The Washington Almanac: Facts About Washington ((State Almanac Series)) - $12.95
  
  A fun-filled, information-packed source of entertaining factoids on Washington State, this first edition of THE WASHINGTON ALMANAC( is an essential read for anyone wanting the late...
  
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  The flag of the U.S. state of Washington was adopted in 1923 and consists of the state seal (which bears an image of George Washington) on a field of dark green with gold fringe be...
  
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- Washington State Athletic Oxford Short-Sleeve T-Shirt (Large, Athletic Oxford) - $15.99
  
  Support your team with this classic Athletic Oxford Grey short-sleeve t-shirt with screen printed logo from Soffe.
  
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- Frommer's Washington State (Frommer's Complete) - $18.99
  
  Meticulously researched, with every recommendation based on personal experience, Frommer's Washington State is the only guide you'll need to experience all the adventure ...
  
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Washington State Questions
- Where is the best place to visit in Washington State and why? 3 Answers
  
  Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens are both beautiful. You can't do both in one day, but they are close enough together that you could do them both in a long weeke... read more
- Does Washington State have wineries and if so where are they and which is the best? 3 Answers
  
  Yes there are many different wineries around Washington State. Below you will find a list of wineries around the state and phone numbers for each. Also I have i... read more
- Do you need a business license to be self employed or work freelance in Washington state? 2 Answers
  
  It appears to depend upon what your business activity will be. From the Washington State Department of Licensing: Before starting your business, be prepared to ... read more
- will there be an unemployement extenstion for washington state 1 Answer
  
  I thought that the entire US was getting an extension for unemployment. I'm not sure what it used to be, but now most states will have 33 weeks of unemployment ... read more
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