Washington (state): Geography, History, and Key Facts

Geography and climate

Washington is bisected by the Cascade Mountains, which create a clear climatic divide. Western Washington, influenced by marine air from the ocean and the Puget Sound, is temperate and receives significant precipitation, producing extensive forests and evergreen landscapes that inspired the state's "Evergreen State" nickname. East of the Cascades conditions are drier; some areas have a semi-arid or desert-like climate and rely on river irrigation. Snow, alpine glaciers and volcanic peaks are characteristic of the mountain zones while coastal areas experience milder winters and cool summers.

History, government and population

Indigenous peoples lived throughout the region for thousands of years before European exploration and settlement. The area became part of the United States following early 19th-century treaties and settlement patterns. The state government is seated in Olympia, a smaller city at the southern edge of the Puget Sound. The largest city is Seattle, a major port and cultural center; other principal population centers include Spokane in the east and numerous suburban communities surrounding the sound. Political, economic and cultural life is shaped by both dense urban regions in the west and agricultural and small-city economies to the east.

Economy, education, and major cities

Washington's economy is diverse: ports and trade, technology and aerospace, timber and agriculture, and increasingly services and research institutions. Major employers and innovations are concentrated in and near Seattle, while eastern Washington produces apples, wheat and other crops. Prominent institutions of higher education include the University of Washington and Washington State University; the latter is located in Pullman, a small college town on the state's eastern plains. A short list of notable cities and centers includes:

• Seattle — the state's largest urban area and cultural hub
• Spokane — the primary city of eastern Washington
• Olympia — the state capital
• Pullman — a university-focused community

Natural features, outdoor life and distinctions

Washington contains a wide range of landscapes: old-growth and second-growth forests, cascading mountains, scenic rivers, and dramatic gorges. The Pacific coastline is long and varied, but water temperatures are generally cold, so ocean swimming is less common and typically seasonal; some prefer boating, fishing or beachcombing to swim. Mount Rainier and other volcanoes offer hiking, winter sports and distinctive alpine environments. The state's mix of maritime and interior climates supports a broad set of recreational activities from whale-watching along the coast to skiing and backpacking in the cascades.

For quick reference and further reading, the list below links to topics and places mentioned in this entry:

• Washington (state)
• Pacific Northwest
• United States
• Oregon
• Idaho
• Pacific Ocean
• British Columbia
• Canada
• rain
• desert
• Spokane
• Cascade Mountains
• nickname
• Washington, D.C.
• George Washington
• Olympia
• Puget Sound
• forests
• rivers
• gorges
• mountains
• ocean
• California
• West Coast
• cold
• swim
• universities
• University of Washington
• Washington State University
• town
• Pullman