Washington

Alternate meanings: George Washington, Washington, D.C., other uses

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.

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 42^nd state 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.

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.

• Puget Sound
  • Bainbridge Island[?]
  • San Juan Islands
  • Whidbey Island
  • Vashon Island[?]
• Columbia River
• Snake River
• Yakima River

• Cascade Range
  • Mount Adams[?]
  • Mount Baker
  • Glacier Peak[?]
  • Mount Rainier
  • Mount Saint Helens
  • Mount Stuart[?]
• Olympic Mountains
  • Mount Olympus[?]

Important Cities and Towns

• Seattle
• Spokane
• Tacoma
• Vancouver
• Everett
• Tri-Cities
• Yakima

See also Washington City Government

Education

Colleges and Universities

Professional Sports Teams

Miscellaneous Information

===Arts and culture==

• music of Washington

Major Highways

• Interstate 5
• Interstate 82
• Interstate 90
• United States Highway 2[?]
• United States Highway 12
• United States Highway 97[?]
• United States Highway 101

External Links

• State of Washington website: http://access.wa.gov/
• Revised Code of Washington (State Law): http://www.leg.wa.gov/rcw/index.cfm
• Washington Administrative Code (State Administrative Rules): http://www.leg.wa.gov/wac/
• State Code Search Tool: http://search.leg.wa.gov/pub/textsearch/default.asp