Washington ( The Evergreen State ) Washington is famous for scenery of breathtaking beauty and sharp contrasts. High mountains rise above evergreen forests and sparkling coastal waters. 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. In 1853, the Washington Territory was formed from part of the Oregon Territory. Its coastal location and Puget Sound harbors give it a leading role in trade with Alaska, Canada, and the Pacific Rim. The state has two major mountain ranges - the 7,000-foot Olympic Mountains surrounded by temperate rain forest on the peninsula west of Puget Sound, and the more majestic Cascade Range, which boasts the 14,410-foot Mount Rainier and the volcanic Mount St. Helens, which erupted twice in the 1980s. Some of the famous celebrities that were born in Washington include: Bing Crosby, John Elway, Drew Bledsoe, Adam West, The Flag of Washington Entered the Union in 1889 as the 42nd State; flag adopted in 1923, modified in 1967. The "Evergreen State" shows the color green for the background of its flag, which bears the State seal. The president for whom the State was named was made part of the seal in 1889.   Largest Cities in the State (2000) Seattle, 563,374; Spokane, 195,629; Tacoma, 193,556; Vancouver, 143,560; Bellevue, 109,569; Everett, 91,488; Federal Way, 83,259; Kent, 79,524; Yakima, 71,845; Bellingham, 67,171   Business and Trade in Washington Agriculture: Seafood, dairy products, apples, cattle, wheat, potatoes, nursery stock. Industries: Aerospace, software development, food processing, paper products, lumber and wood products, chemical products, tourism. State Symbols and Emblems Bird: Willow Goldfinch Flower: Western Rhododendron (rhododendron macrophyllum) Tree: Western Hemlock (tsuga heterophylla) Song(s): Washington, My Home Motto: Alki (By and By) Washington Travel - Vacation Destinations & Recreation National parks and historic locations suitable for family vacations or day trips. • Wing Luke Asian Museum - Seattle • Scooteney Reservoir - Connell • Chief Joseph Dam And Rufus Woods Lake - Bridgeport • Johnston Ridge Visitor Center - Castle Rock • Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - Ridgefield

Capital: Olympia     Local Weather  Statehood: 1889-11-11  Population: 5,894,121 (88.6 mi2)   Geographic Area (mi2)     Total 71,299.64     Water 4,755.58     Land 66,544.06     Rank 20th Largest   State Education:     Pub & Prv Schools     College & University     Libraries   Border States: Idaho, Oregon   Health Information:     Illicit Drug Use   Housing: In Washington, there are 2,451,075 housing units, averaging to 36.8 per sq mile.   Related Magazines:     Seattle Magazine     Seattle Homes & Lifestyles     Puget Sound Business Journal   Posters and Artwork Ochre Sea Star with Purple Sea Urchins, Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington, USA Photographic Print 24" x 18" • Seattle Skyline at Night, Washington, USA Photographic Print 24" x 18" • Rhododendron Blooms, University of Washington Arboretum, Seattle, Washington, USA Photographic Print 18" x 24" • Japanese Garden with Rhododendrons and Wysteria, Seattle, Washington, USA Photographic Print 24" x 18" • Arboretum Pathway at South Seattle Community College, Washington, USA Photographic Print 16" x 12" • Indian Village near Spokane, Washington Pre-Matted Print 11" x 14"