All About Washington: Flag, Map, Geography, History, Facts, and Education

Washington, a jewel of the Pacific Northwest, is an extraordinary state of contrasts and history. All found together, bustling urban centers and calm natural landscapes vantage Washington an amalgamation of cultural heritage and economic vigor. Washington lies in the northwestern most part of the United States' 48 contiguous states. Canada and its province of British Columbia lie to the north, Idaho to the east, Oregon to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Historically, Washington's coastal location and magnificent harbors have enabled it to play an active role in trade with Alaska, Canada, and nations across the Pacific Rim. The state's population is expected to be 7,958,180 by 2024, which tells us that the state is still an attractive place to live, work, and recreate. Washington is located with nature's beauty and opportunities along with innovation, and is a great place for diversity and inclusion. The capital city is Olympia, wanting to give you a hint of all that Washington offers in the southern part of its Puget Sound.

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What are the Flag and Seal of Washington?

The state flag of Washington is a dark green field representing the forests of the state, and it features the state seal in the center. The seal is round and shows a likeness of George Washington, the state’s namesake, along with the words “The Seal of the State of Washington 1889” to commemorate its admission as a state in 1889. The seal is a prominent part of the flag and appears on all official documents of the state.

Source: wikipedia.com

What is Washington's Geography Like?

Washington's geography is clearly divided by the Cascade Range, creating a rainy western third with western-style rainforests, and drier eastern two-thirds. The state has seven distinct regions: the magnificent Olympic Peninsula and its rainforests, the gentle Willapa Hills, the heavily populated Puget Sound Lowland, the towering Cascade Range with Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens, the expansive Columbia Basin plateau, the mineral-filled Okanogan Highlands, and the raised Blue Mountains to the southeast.

Source: worldatlas

What is the Climate in Washington?

Washington's climate is mainly influenced by the prevailing westerlies winds and the Pacific Ocean, but it is affected by the Cascade Range. Western Washington is milder and wetter (e.g., Olympic Peninsula receives over 150 in of rain; Seattle receives 30-40 in of rain). Eastern Washington is in the rain shadow of the Cascades, making it drier, with a greater temperature difference.

What Kind of Plant and Animal Life Can You Find in Washington?

Washington is home to vast forested areas covering nearly half of all land, including primary species such as Douglas fir and hemlock. The drier eastern area of Washington consists of scrubby grasses and sagebrush. Its wildlife is just as diverse, with large mammals such as deer, elk, and bears, as well as a major stop along the Pacific Flyway for migratory birds. In addition, its rivers are host to many freshwater fish, including five species of Pacific salmon. Coastal waters and Puget Sound are plentiful with shellfish as well as significant numbers of whales (primarily orcas) around the San Juan Islands.

What is Washington's History?

Washington has a long and diverse history, having been inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years. These cultural tenets included notable Northwest Coast and Plateau cultural traditions. The first known European exploration occurred in the late eighteenth century in when the European powers were all surging in the region, looking for the Northwest Passage and the fur trade. This exploration resulted in the discovery of the Columbia River and early missionary settlements. While the influx of settlers along the Oregon Trail in the mid-nineteenth century led to further development of Washington, it also resulted in conflicts with Native Americans that ultimately led to the relocation of most Native Americans to reservations. In 1853, Washington became a territory, and a state in 1889. Early prosperity was tied mainly to the finding of gold, but Washington became a more developed region as a result of many events, such as the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in 1909. 

The history of the twentieth century includes many fascinating topics, many tied to various labor movements in the region, the major hydroelectric projects throughout the Columbia River Watershed, and, of course, the major eruption of Mt. Saint Helens in 1980. The late twentieth century marked the development of Western Washington as a technology center that attracted several decades of rapid population growth, resulting in many urban challenges. More recently, Washington is notable for several social progress achievements, including the legal recognition of same-sex domestic partnerships in 2009 and the legal recognition of same-sex marriage in 2012, and legalized recreational marijuana in 2012, when it was one of the first states to do so.

What Drives Washington's Economy?

Washington state's economy, once centered on agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, has expanded dramatically since 1940 with an infusion of manufacturing and services, with a particular focus on high technology and rapid growth of those sectors. The state's economy can be divided into the following sectors: 

• Agriculture: This is the leading state in the production of winter wheat and apples, and is strong in dairy, fruits, and wines. 

• Natural Resources: An abundance of water provides hydroelectric power to some of the hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River, including the Grand Coulee Dam, which provides a third of the U.S. output. There is mineral production, but negligible. The state is noted for extractive industries grounded in aluminum refining (extraction of other metals is negligible). 

• Manufacturing: The manufacturing component of the state economy is dominated by aircraft and aerospace production (i.e. Boeing), and high-technology (i.e., Microsoft, Amazon, etc.) sectors showing explosive growth. 

• Services: Tourism is a significant economic contributor to the state, and national parks and urban historical and cultural attractions are tourism draws for the state.

To reduce tax burdens on its residents, Washington has no income tax and relies upon a general sales tax, plus various excise taxes, as its primary sources of revenue

How is Transportation in Washington?

Washington State has a very good, varied transportation system. Coastal harbors, particularly on Puget Sound, have access to global shipping year-round. And a state-run ferry system connects coastal islands and Washington access to Canada. The inland waterways include barges moving goods on the Columbia-Snake rivers. Air travel is significant for both freight and passenger service and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, in particular, is recognized as an substantial international airport. Major highways, including pontoon bridges and light rail systems in some major cities, support land travel while railways continue to serve freight and passenger (Amtrak) services.

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What is the State of Education in Washington?

Washington's education system is managed by the State Board of Education, which creates curriculum standards for public schools operated by an elected superintendent and more than 300 local district boards. School attendance is mandatory for children between the ages of 8 and 16.

Higher education is largely state-sponsored and led by major institutions like the University of Washington in Seattle (founded in 1861) and Washington State University in Pullman (founded in 1890), both of which have multiple sites. Three other public universities (Western, Central and Eastern Washington Universities which became universities in 1977), Evergreen State College which was added in 1971, over 30 community colleges, and several private higher education institutions such as Whitman College (founded in 1859), University of Puget Sound (founded in 1888), Gonzaga University (founded in 1887), and Seattle University (founded in 1891).