Washington State

Washington State is the 18th largest stated 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.

Fast Facts

1. Capital: Olympia
2. Governor: Chris Gregoire
3. Population: 6,375,600 (2006)
4. Founded: November 11, 1889
5. Time zone: Pacific
6. Major cities: Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia
7. Official state items: Coast Rhododendron (flower), Western Hemlock (tree), Steelhead Trout (fish), Petrified Wood (gem), Apple (fruit), Orca (marine mammal)
8. Nickname: The Evergreen State

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

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