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 Facts About Washington
(as of 2006)
 
Prehistoric peoples were followed into the Pacific Northwest areas by
numerous American Indian tribes, and they lived in the area for thousands
of years. Beginning in the mid-18th century, the land we call Washington
State was claimed for England and Spain by a large variety of explorers,
including Juan Perez, and Captain James Cook. Local land disputes and
savage Indian wars were commonplace. In 1805, the Lewis and Clark
expedition arrived, and America began to take control, finally declaring
Washington part of the Oregon Territory in 1853, and then a state in 1889.
Named for the country's first president, George Washington, it's a land of
rugged volcanic mountains and canyons, coastal islands and bays, ancient
river valleys and fertile farmland. Famed for the modern city of Seattle,
commercial fishing, timber and apple production, it's home for Boeing,
Microsoft and countless other high-tech companies. The incomparable beauty
of Washington is enjoyed by millions of annual visitors, and by the
fortunate people that live there.
Capital: Olympia
Population:
5,894,121
Entered the Union:
November 11, 1889
As
the:
42nd state
Motto:
Al-Ki
(Native American word meaning by and by)
Nickname:
Evergreen State, Chinook State
Flower:
Coast
Rhododendron
Bird:
Willow
Goldfinch
Song:
Washington, My Home
Sports Teams:
Seattle Mariners (Baseball); Seattle Supersonics (Basketball); Seattle
Seahawks (Football)
Origin of Name: In honor of George
Washington
Historical Sites:
Whitman Mission and Fort Vancouver National Historic Sites
Points of Interest:
Mt.
Rainier and the Cascade mountains; Mount St. Helens (a semi-active
volcano); and the Pacific Science Center and Space Needle in Seattle.
Bordering States:
Washington borders Idaho and Oregon
Numerous Facts & Trivia:
The state of Washington is the only state to be named after a United
States president.
Seattle is home to the first revolving restaurant, 1961.
Washington state produces more apples than any other state in the union.
Washington state has more glaciers than the other 47 contiguous states
combined.
Washington state's capitol building was the last state capitol building to
be built with a rotunda.
Everett is the site of the world's largest building, Boeing's final
assembly plant
Medina is the home of the United States wealthiest man, Microsoft's Bill
Gates.
The Northwestern most point in the contiguous U.S. is Cape Flattery on
Washington's Olympic Peninsula.
King county the largest county in Washington was originally named after
William R. King, Vice President under Franklin Pierce; it was renamed in
1986, after civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Microsoft Corporation is located in Redmond.
Before it became a state, the territory was called Columbia (named after
the Columbia River). When it was granted statehood, the name was changed
to Washington, supposedly so people wouldn't confuse it with The District
of Columbia.
The highest point in Washington is Mount Rainier. It was named after Peter
Rainier, a British soldier who fought against the Americans in the
Revolutionary War.
The Governor Albert D. Rosellini Bridge at Evergreen Point is the longest
floating bridge in the world. The bridge connects Seattle and Medina
across Lake Washington.
Washington is the birthplace of both Jimi Hendrix (Seattle) and Bing
Crosby (Tacoma).
The oldest operating gas station in the United States is in Zillah.
Washington's state insect is the Green Darner Dragonfly.
The world's first soft-serve ice cream machine was located in an Olympia
Dairy Queen.
Starbucks, the biggest coffee chain in the world was founded in Seattle.
Spokane was the smallest city in size to host a World's Fair. - 1974
Learn more at 50states.com
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