Washington is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States of America. This state was named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. It was admitted to the Union as the 42nd state in 1889. In 2006, the Census Bureau estimated the state's population at 6,395,798 ranking it the14th most populous state. Washington is the 18th biggest state with a total of 71,342 sq mi. The state capital is Olympia and the largest city is Seattle.
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Washington is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States of America. This state was named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. It was admitted to the Union as the 42nd state in 1889. In 2006, the Census Bureau estimated the state's population at 6,395,798 ranking it the14th most populous state. Washington is the 18th biggest state with a total of 71,342 sq mi. The state capital is Olympia and the largest city is Seattle.
Washington has two distinct climate zones. Summer days, west of the Cascades, rarely rise above 79°F, and winter days seldom drop below 46°F while the east of the State has warm summers and cool winters. A mild, humid climate predominates in the western part of the state, and a cooler dry climate prevails east of the Cascade Range. The average annual temperature ranges from 51° F on the Pacific coast to 40° F in the northeast. The recorded temperature in the state has ranged from -48° F in 1968 to 118° F in 1961.
There are three national parks in Washington: Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, and Olympic National Park. National forests in the state include: Colville National Forest, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Okanogan National Forest, Olympic National Forest, and Wenatchee National Forest, among others.
Among various sectors in the economy, Chief industries include advanced technology, aerospace, biotechnology, trade, forestry, tourism, recycling agriculture and food processing. The most important manufacturing goods are computer software, aircraft, pulp and paper, lumber and ply wood, aluminum, processed foods and vegetables, machinery and electronics. The state’s main crops are apples, potatoes, and hay and farm forest products. Washington is a leading agricultural state.
The State song is "Washington My Home", the State bird is the American Goldfinch, the State fruit is the Apple, and the State vegetable is the Walla Walla Sweet Onion. The State dance, adopted in 1979, is the Square Dance. The State Tree is the Western Hemlock. The State Flower is the Coast Rhododendron. The State Fish is the Steelhead Trout. The State Folk Song is "Roll On, Columbia, Roll On" by Woody Guthrie. The unofficial Rock Song is Louie Louie by the Kingsmen. The State Grass is Bluebunch Wheatgrass. The State Insect is the Green Darner Dragonfly. The State Gem is Petrified Wood. The State Fossil is the Columbian Mammoth. The State Marine Mammal is the Orca Whale. The State Seal (featured in the state flag as well) was inspired by the unfinished portrait by Gilbert Stuart.
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