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WashingtonCapital: Olympia State abbreviation/Postal code: Wash./WA Governor: Christine Gregoire, D (to Jan. 2009) Lieut. Governor: Brad Owen, D (to Jan. 2009) Senators: Patty Murray, D (to Jan. 2011); Maria Cantwell, D (to Jan. 2013) U.S. Representatives: 9 Historical biographies of Congressional members Secy. of State: Sam Reed, R (to Jan. 2009) Treasurer: Michael J. Murphy, D (to Jan. 2009) Atty. General: Rob McKenna, R (to Jan. 2009) Auditor: Brian Sonntag, D (to Jan. 2009) Organized as territory: March 2, 1853 Entered Union (rank): Nov. 11, 1889 (42) Present constitution adopted: 1889 Motto: Al-Ki (Indian word meaning “by and by”) State symbols: | flower | coast rhododendron (1892) | | tree | western hemlock (1947) | | bird | willow goldfinch (1951) | | fish | steelhead trout (1969) | | gem | petrified wood (1975) | | colors | green and gold (1925) | | song | “Washington, My Home” (1959) | | folk song | “Roll On Columbia, Roll On” (1987) | | dance | square dance (1979) | | grass | bluebunch wheatgrass (1989) | | insect | blue darner dragonfly (1997) | | fossil | Columbian mammoth (1998) | | fruit | apple (1989) |
Nicknames: Evergreen State Origin of name: In honor of George Washington 10 largest cities (2005 est.): Seattle, 573,911; Spokane, 196,818; Tacoma, 195,898; Vancouver, 157,493; Bellevue, 117,137; Everett, 96,604; Federal Way, 83,088; Kent, 81,800; Spokane Valley, 81,380; Yakima, 81,214 Land area: 66,544 sq mi. (172,349 sq km) Geographic center: In Chelan Co., 10 mi. WSW of Wenatchee Number of counties: 39 Largest county by population and area: King, 1,793,583 (2005); Okanogan, 5,268 sq mi. State forest lands: 2.1 million ac. State parks: 120 Residents: Washingtonian 2005 resident population est.: 6,287,759 2000 resident census population (rank): 5,894,121 (15). Male: 2,934,300 (49.8%); Female: 2,959,821 (50.2%). White: 4,821,823 (81.8%); Black: 190,267 (3.2%); American Indian: 93,301 (1.6%); Asian: 322,335 (5.5%); Other race: 228,923 (3.9%); Two or more races: 213,519 (3.6%); Hispanic/Latino: 441,509 (7.5%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 74.3; 65 and over: 11.2; median age: 35.3. See additional census data Area codes Tourism office |
As part of the vast Oregon Country, Washington territory was visited by Spanish, American, and British explorers—Bruno Heceta for Spain in 1775, the American Capt. Robert Gray in 1792, and Capt. George Vancouver for Britain in 1792–1794. Lewis and Clark explored the Columbia River region and coastal areas for the U.S. in 1805–1806. Rival American and British settlers and conflicting territorial claims threatened war in the early 1840s. However, in 1846 the Oregon Treaty set the boundary at the 49th parallel and war was averted. Washington is a leading lumber producer. Its rugged surface is rich in stands of Douglas fir, hemlock, ponderosa and white pine, spruce, larch, and cedar. The state holds first place in apples, lentils, dry edible peas, hops, pears, red raspberries, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries, and ranks high in apricots, asparagus, grapes, peppermint oil, and potatoes. Livestock and livestock products make important contributions to total farm revenue and the commercial fishing catch of salmon, halibut, and bottomfish makes a significant contribution to the state's economy. Manufacturing industries in Washington include aircraft and missiles, shipbuilding and other transportation equipment, lumber, food processing, metals and metal products, chemicals, and machinery. Washington has over 1,000 dams, including the Grand Coulee, built for a variety of purposes including irrigation, power, flood control, and water storage. Among the major points of interest: Mt. Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks. Mount St. Helens, a peak in the Cascade Range, erupted in May 1980. Also of interest are Whitman Mission and Fort Vancouver National Historic Sites; and the Pacific Science Center and the Space Needle, in Seattle. See more on Washington:
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National Public Radio Stations Selected famous natives and residents:
- Chris Cornell rock musician;
- Kenny Loggins rock musician;
- Guthrie McClintic theatrical producer and director;
- Steve Miller rock musician;
- Ahmad Rashad football player;
- Ann Reinking dancer and actress;
Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. More on Washington from Infoplease:
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