Outline of Washington
Washington state lies on the Pacific Coast in the northwestern part of the country. Its location makes it a gateway for land, sea, and air travel to Alaska and to Asian countries across the Pacific Ocean. Washington is famous for scenery of breathtaking beauty and sharp contrasts. High mountains rise above evergreen forests and sparkling coastal waters. The junglelike forests of the Olympic Peninsula in the west are among the rainiest places in the world. But the flat semidesert 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 a clear day, persons in the Seattle area can also see Mount Baker to the north, the Olympic Mountains to the west, and the Cascades to the east. Lodges and chair lifts in the mountains attract thousands of tourists and skiers.
Washington's coastline has several bays and inlets that make excellent harbors. Ships from all parts of the world dock at Bellingham, Seattle, Tacoma, and other ports on Puget Sound. Washington also has important shipping centers on the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River. Washington fishing fleets catch salmon, halibut, and other fishes in the chilly waters off the northern Pacific Coast. The state is famous for seafoods, especially chinook and sockeye salmon.
Washington has large areas of thick forests, especially on the western slopes of the Cascades. The state produces large amounts of lumber, pulp and paper, and other wood products. The state's nickname also suggests the lush green lowlands found in western Washington. A mild, moist climate makes this region excellent for dairy farming and for growing flower bulbs.
High-technology manufacturing and services play an important part in Washington's economy. The Boeing Company, a leading producer of commercial airliners and spacecraft, has headquarters in Seattle and plants in Auburn, Kent, Renton, Spokane, and near Everett. Microsoft Corporation, the world's largest computer software developer, has its headquarters in Redmond.
Most of the larger Washington cities are in the western part of the state along Puget Sound. Seattle, the state's largest city, is in this region. It serves as an important shipping and manufacturing center. Tacoma, an industrial and port city, is about 28 miles (45 kilometers) south of Seattle. Both Seattle and Tacoma began chiefly as ports for shipping lumber. Later, the two cities became shipping centers for trade with Alaska and Asia. Vancouver, which is part of the Portland (Oregon)-Vancouver metropolitan area, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.
Washington is a paradise for people who enjoy the outdoors. Its richly diverse environment offers a wide variety of warm- and cold-weather activities, including camping, fishing, boating, and hunting. Every winter and spring, skiers flock to the slopes of Mount Spokane and areas in the Cascade Range such as Crystal Mountain, Mission Ridge, Mount Baker, Mount Rainier, Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass, and White Pass. In summer, rugged mountains and wilderness areas attract hikers and mountain climbers.
Washington is the only state of the United States named for one of the nation's presidents. It was named in honor of George Washington. Washington's nickname, the Evergreen State, comes from its many firs, hemlocks, pines, and other evergreen trees. Olympia is the capital of Washington. Seattle is the state's largest city.
