Washington, also known as the Evergreen State, is located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It was admitted as the 42nd U.S. state in 1889. Washington spans 66,455 square miles and is home to over 7.5 million residents as of 2019, making it the 13th most populous state. The largest city and state capital is Olympia. Other major cities include Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Bellevue.
History
The region was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes for thousands of years before European explorers arrived in the late 18th century. It was named after George Washington, the first president of the United States. Washington became an organized territory in 1853 and officially became a U.S. state on November 11, 1889. For more on Washington’s history, visit the Wikipedia page.
Government
As with all U.S. states, Washington has an elected governor as the head of the executive branch. The current governor is Jay Inslee. The bicameral Washington State Legislature consists of the House of Representatives and Senate. Washington has 10 representatives and 2 senators in the United States Congress. The state government website can be found at wa.gov.
State Capitol Building
The Washington State Capitol Building, located in Olympia, houses the legislative and executive branches of the state government. It was built in 1928 and is located at 416 Sid Snyder Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98504. Phone: (360) 902-8880.
Geography and Climate
Washington state has a varied topography that includes coastal regions, forests, mountain ranges, volcanoes, and valleys. The Cascade Mountain Range divides the state into eastern and western regions. Western Washington has a rainy temperate climate, while Eastern Washington is drier with more sunshine and extreme temperatures. Mount Rainier is an iconic 14,410 foot volcano located southeast of Tacoma.
Economy
Washington has a strong and diversified economy. Major industries include aerospace, technology, forestry, agriculture, and tourism. Some of the top companies headquartered in Washington include Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Starbucks, Costco, and Nordstrom. The Ports of Seattle and Tacoma are leading container shipment centers. For more on Washington’s economy, see the Department of Commerce website.
Tourism
Tourism is a major part of Washington’s economy. Popular attractions include Seattle’s Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and Chihuly Garden and Glass. The city of Spokane offers Riverfront Park and numerous historical and cultural attractions. Outdoor recreational activities can be enjoyed at Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park, and San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Learn more at experiencewa.com.
Landmarks
Space Needle
The Space Needle is a famous observation tower in Seattle located at 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109. Phone: (206) 905-2100. It stands at 605 feet and offers 360-degree views of the Seattle skyline.
GPS coordinates: 47.6205° N, 122.3493° W
Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier is an active stratovolcano located 54 miles southeast of Seattle. It stands at 14,410 feet and is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world due to its eruptive history and proximity to major population centers.
GPS coordinates: 46.8523° N, 121.7603° W
Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls is one of Washington’s most popular scenic attractions located 25 miles east of Seattle. This 268 foot waterfall is situated along the Snoqualmie River near the town of Snoqualmie.
GPS coordinates: 47.5417° N, 121.8243° W
Education
Public primary and secondary education in Washington is managed by the state’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and local school districts. Notable universities include the University of Washington and Washington State University. The main public library system is the Washington State Library located in Tumwater. Many local public libraries can also be found in cities and towns across the state.
Seattle Public Library
The Seattle Public Library is the largest library system in the state with over 20 branches located throughout Seattle. The Central Library branch is located at 1000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. Phone: (206) 386-4636. Website: spl.org
Major Employers
Amazon
Amazon is headquartered in Seattle and is one of Washington’s largest employers. The headquarters address is 410 Terry Ave. North, Seattle, WA 98109. Phone: (206) 266-1000.
Microsoft
Microsoft is headquartered in Redmond and employs over 50,000 people in the state. One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052. Phone: (425) 882-8080.
Boeing
The Boeing aviation company is another major Washington employer with aircraft assembly plants located in Everett and Renton. 100 N Riverside, Chicago, IL 60606. Phone: (312) 544-2000.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a large military installation located south of Tacoma that employs over 40,000 active duty personnel and civilians. Website: lewis-mcchord.army.mil
Transportation
Washington’s major airports include Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Spokane International Airport. The Washington State Department of Transportation manages highways and ferries. Public transportation is available via bus, light rail, and commuter rail networks in cities like Seattle, Tacoma, and Vancouver.
Washington State Ferries
Washington State Ferries operates the largest ferry system in the United States, carrying over 24 million passengers annually across Puget Sound and connecting communities on the Olympic Peninsula. Info: wsdot.wa.gov/ferries
Sports
Professional sports teams based in Washington include the Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Sounders FC (MLS), Seattle Kraken (NHL), and Seattle Storm (WNBA). The state is also home to various minor league and college teams. Learn more at the Seattle Sports Commission website.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are an NFL football team that plays at Lumen Field in Seattle. Website: seahawks.com
Demographics
According to 2019 estimates, the racial makeup of Washington state is:
- White: 75.1%
- Hispanic/Latino: 12.9%
- Asian: 9.3%
- Black: 4.4%
- Two or more races: 5.7%
- Native American: 1.9%
- Pacific Islander: 0.8%
Spanish is the most commonly spoken language after English. Over 45% of residents do not identify with any religion. The largest religious group is Roman Catholicism at 18%.
Local Resources
Counties
Washington is divided into 39 counties. King County is the most populous county where Seattle is located. The King County government website can be found at kingcounty.gov.
Cities and Towns
Some of the other notable cities and towns in Washington include Tacoma, Spokane, Vancouver, Bellevue, Kent, Everett, Renton, Federal Way, Spokane Valley, Kirkland, and Yakima. Links to official municipal websites can be found at the Municipal Research and Services Center.
Local Media
Major local newspapers include The Seattle Times and The News Tribune. Local news and radio stations can be found through washingtonnews.org.
The official Facebook page for the State of Washington can be found at facebook.com/WaStateGovt.