Washington

Alternate meanings: George Washington, Washington, D.C, other places called Washington

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. As of the 2000 census, the state population is approximately 5.9 million. Residents are called "Washingtonians".

The USS Washington was named in honor of this state.

Table of contents

1 History 2 Geography 3 Important Cities and Towns 4 Education 4.1 Colleges and Universities 5 Professional Sports Teams 6 Arts and culture 7 Major Highways 8 External Links

History

In 1853, the Washington Territory was formed from part of the Oregon Territory. Washington became the 42^nd state in the United States on November 11, 1889.

Geography

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 on clear days.

• 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 St. Helens
  • Mount Stuart
• Olympic Mountains
  • Mount Olympus

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

Education

Colleges and Universities

Professional Sports Teams

Seattle Seahawks, National Football League Seattle Mariners, Major League Baseball Seattle Supersonics, National Basketball Association Seattle Storm, Women's National Basketball Association Seattle Thunderbirds, Western Hockey League Everett Silvertips, Western Hockey League

Minor League Baseball Teams Tacoma Rainiers Everett AquaSox Bellingham Bells Yakima Bears Spokane Indians Tri-City Dust Devils

Arts and culture

• Music of Washington

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

• 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