Washington (WA)

WASHINGTON STATE FLAG

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:

  1. Adams County, Washington
  2. Asotin County, Washington
  3. Benton County, Washington
  4. Chelan County, Washington
  5. Clallam County, Washington
  6. Clark County, Washington
  7. Columbia County, Washington
  8. Cowlitz County, Washington
  9. Douglas County, Washington
  10. Ferry County, Washington
  11. Franklin County, Washington
  12. Garfield County, Washington
  13. Grant County, Washington
  14. Grays Harbor County, Washington
  15. Island County, Washington
  16. Jefferson County, Washington
  17. King County, Washington
  18. Kitsap County, Washington
  19. Kittitas County, Washington
  20. Klickitat County, Washington
  21. Lewis County, Washington
  22. Lincoln County, Washington
  23. Mason County, Washington
  24. Okanogan County, Washington
  25. Pacific County, Washington
  26. Pend Oreille County, Washington
  27. Pierce County, Washington
  28. San Juan County, Washington
  29. Skagit County, Washington
  30. Skamania County, Washington
  31. Snohomish County, Washington
  32. Spokane County, Washington
  33. Stevens County, Washington
  34. Thurston County, Washington
  35. Wahkiakum County, Washington
  36. Walla Walla County, Washington
  37. Whatcom County, Washington
  38. Whitman County, Washington
  39. Yakima County, Washington

WASHINGTON STATE FLAG