Washington became a state in 1889 and was named in honor of George Washington; it is the only US state named after a president. The state’s coastal location and excellent ports have contributed to its role as a leader in trade with Alaska, Canada, and the Pacific Rim countries.
Towering over Seattle, majestic Mount Rainier is the highest peak in the continental United States. Another Washington landmark, Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in US history.
Washington, or the “Evergreen State,” is the nation’s largest apple producer and home to the Starbucks coffee chain.
Famous Washingtonians include musician Jimi Hendrix, entertainer Bing Crosby, and computer pioneer Bill Gates.
Geography
Washington is a state located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The state is bordered by Oregon to the south, Idaho to the east, and Canada to the north. It is also bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west. Washington has a diverse geography that includes lush forests, rugged mountains, deep canyons, and vast deserts.
The Cascade Mountains run through much of Washington from north to south and divide it into two distinct regions: Western Washington and Eastern Washington. Western Washington is characterized by its mild climate and wet weather due to its proximity to the ocean. This region is home to Seattle, one of the largest cities in the US, as well as some of the most beautiful natural areas in America such as Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park.
Eastern Washington is known for its dry climate and desert-like conditions due to its location east of the Cascade Mountains. This region has a number of large cities such as Spokane, Yakima, and Tri-Cities but also features some stunning natural areas such as Grand Coulee Dam and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Washington also has several major rivers that flow through it including the Columbia River which forms part of its northern border with Canada; it also has several large lakes such as Lake Chelan in Central Washington; Puget Sound which runs along much of Western Washington’s coast; and Lake Roosevelt which sits at an elevation over 2200 feet above sea level in Eastern Washington near Spokane.
The climate in Washington varies greatly depending on location but generally speaking summers are warm with temperatures reaching into the 80s (F) while winters are cold with temperatures dropping below freezing. Rainfall can be heavy throughout much of Western Washington while Eastern Washington tends to receive less rain overall but more snowfall during winter months than other parts of the state due to its higher elevation.
Overall, Washington’s geography provides an incredible variety for those looking for outdoor adventure or simply an escape from city life with its rugged mountains, lush forests, deep canyons, vast deserts, numerous rivers and lakes along with a wide range of climates from mild coastal areas to colder mountain regions making it one of America’s most beautiful.
Cities in Washington
Below are the top 15 cities by population in Washington. For all cities and towns in the state, please see Washington cities list.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | 726,054 |
| 2 | Spokane | 225,709 |
| 3 | Tacoma | 217,332 |
| 4 | Vancouver | 188,331 |
| 5 | Bellevue | 149,365 |
| 6 | Kent | 134,890 |
| 7 | Everett | 110,438 |
| 8 | Renton | 105,313 |
| 9 | Spokane Valley | 102,178 |
| 10 | Federal Way | 99,792 |
| 11 | Yakima | 96,266 |
| 12 | Kirkland | 91,656 |
| 13 | Bellingham | 90,545 |
| 14 | Auburn | 85,306 |
| 15 | Kennewick | 83,082 |
Counties in Washington
The State of Washington consists of 39 counties. They are:
- Adams County, Washington
- Asotin County, Washington
- Benton County, Washington
- Chelan County, Washington
- Clallam County, Washington
- Clark County, Washington
- Columbia County, Washington
- Cowlitz County, Washington
- Douglas County, Washington
- Ferry County, Washington
- Franklin County, Washington
- Garfield County, Washington
- Grant County, Washington
- Grays Harbor County, Washington
- Island County, Washington
- Jefferson County, Washington
- King County, Washington
- Kitsap County, Washington
- Kittitas County, Washington
- Klickitat County, Washington
- Lewis County, Washington
- Lincoln County, Washington
- Mason County, Washington
- Okanogan County, Washington
- Pacific County, Washington
- Pend Oreille County, Washington
- Pierce County, Washington
- San Juan County, Washington
- Skagit County, Washington
- Skamania County, Washington
- Snohomish County, Washington
- Spokane County, Washington
- Stevens County, Washington
- Thurston County, Washington
- Wahkiakum County, Washington
- Walla Walla County, Washington
- Whatcom County, Washington
- Whitman County, Washington
- Yakima County, Washington
