Open the left menu Washington State. Seattle architectural features

State capital: Olympia
Official name: State of Washington (WA)

Largest city: Seattle
Other major cities: Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Spokane Valley, Federal Way, Kent, Yakima, Renton, Bellingham, Auburn, Kennewick, Lakewood, Aberdeen.
State nicknames: Evergreen state
State motto: Gradually
State formation date: 1889 (42nd in order)


Washington State is called the "land of contrasts". On its territory you can see high mountains and river valleys, rain forests and semi-deserts. The state is located in the northwest of the country and belongs to the Pacific states of the United States.

The territory of the state of Washington - 184,827 km 2 (18th among the states). From the north of the state there is a state border with the Canadian province of British Columbia, from the east the state borders on Idaho, from the south with the state of Oregon, from the west the state of Washington is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

The features of the state's relief also determine the features of the climate. The regions located to the west of the Cascade Mountains are characterized by a very large amount of precipitation and a rather mild climate with warm winters and relatively small seasonal temperature drops. Average January temperatures in the largest city in the state, Seattle, on the Puget Sound coastline, range from 3 ° C to 8 ° C, while temperatures in July typically range from 13 ° C to 24 ° C.

State population

Washington State is home to about 6,830,000 people (the thirteenth most populous state).

Racial makeup of Washington state

  • Whites - 77.3%
  • Blacks (African American) - 3.6%
  • Asians - 7.2%
  • Native Americans (Indians or Eskimos of Alaska) - about 1.5%
  • Native people Hawaiian Islands or Oceania - about 0.6%
  • Other races - 7.7%
  • Two or more races - 2.1%
  • Hispanic or Latino (any race) - about 11.3%

There are comparatively few African Americans among Washington State residents, with most of them moving here from the southeastern United States during World War II, being drafted into the US Armed Forces or involved in the military industry.

The largest ethnic (national) groups in the population of Washington state

  • Germans - 20.7%
  • Irish - 12.6%
  • British - 12.3%
  • Mexicans - 8.2%
  • Norwegians - 6.2%
  • French - 3.9%
  • Swedes - 3.8%
  • Italians - 3.67%
  • Scots - 3.3%
  • Dutch - 2.5%
  • Filipinos - 2.0%
  • Poles - 1.9%

State history

It is believed that the lands of the northwestern United States, including the territory of the modern state of Washington, were among the first in North America inhabited by Indian peoples. Archaeological research proves that people settled on the Olympic Peninsula at least nine thousand years before our era.
The state's temperate climate and abundant hunting grounds favored the development of the region. For the peoples living on the ocean coast and in the Puget Sound area (Chinook, Lammies, Poppy, Quilette, Snohomish and others), fishing was the main occupation. Tribes that lived on the eastern plateaus and in the Columbia River valley (Cayus, Nez-Perce, Okanagan, Spokane, Yakama, Venachi, Palus and others) lived by hunting, gathering and seasonal (during the spawning of salmon that rose up the river) fishing ...

The first known European to enter what is now Washington state was Spanish captain Bruno de Esseta in 1775. In 1846, the territory of the state became part of the United States under the Oregon Agreement between the United States and Great Britain. On November 11, 1889, Washington became the 42nd US state. The capital of the new state was the city of Olympia, which by that time was a major economic and political center of the region.

State landmarks

The eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980

Mount Rainier is the tallest mountain in Washington State

Olympic National Park

Snoqualmie Falls is one of the most scenic attractions in Washington state.

In 2009, Snoqualmee Falls was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a Cultural Landmark due to the beliefs and traditions of the Snoqualmee Indians.

Mount Rainier National Park, located in Washington state, is famous for its incredibly beautiful landscapes and a variety of ecosystems. Here you can find both glaciers and tropical forests.

Rialto Beach, national park Olympic, Washington, USA.

View of the Pacific Ocean from the beach in Olympic National Park.

Olympia is the capital of Washington state

Olympia Harbor, Washington, USA

Seattle is the largest city in Washington state

Troll sculpture in Seattle

  • Washington is the only state in America that was named after the president. Before becoming a state, the territory was called Columbia.
  • Washington DC is home to 3 national parks, 9 national forest reserves, and 100 state parks. The local forest called The Ginkgo Petrified Forest is the largest in the world.
  • 80% of the US glaciers are located in the state of Washington. There are more than 8,000 lakes in Washington, and the rivers available can stretch over 40,000 miles.
  • According to the EPA and the American Lung Association, Washington state has the cleanest air of any other state in America.
  • The most high point in Washington - Mount Rainier. She is a dormant volcano.
    The mountain was named after Peter Rainier, a British soldier who fought the Americans during the Revolutionary War.
  • Washington supplies the rest of the states with fruit abundantly. 90% of the harvest of raspberries, 58% of apples, 47% of cherries, 42% of pears, 40% of grapes grows here.
  • There are 140 airports in Washington, of which 16 are state-owned.

Ridiculous Washington State Laws

  • Lollipops are prohibited.
  • According to the law, the driver vehicle who has criminal intentions, must stop before entering the city and notify the chief of the city police of his arrival.
  • It is forbidden to paint the American flag with “polka dots”.
  • It is forbidden to buy a mattress on Sunday.
  • A person with a red flag (daytime) or a red light (nighttime) must walk in front of any vehicle 50 feet ahead of it.
  • It is forbidden to pretend that your parents are rich.
  • It is forbidden to breastfeed in a public place.
  • If two trains meet at an intersection, each must wait until the other passes.
  • It is forbidden to buy meat in any form on Sunday.
  • Men who take their virginity to women, regardless of age or marital status, can be imprisoned for up to 5 years.
  • It is forbidden to hull peanuts on the streets.
  • It is forbidden to display a hypnotized or supposedly hypnotized person in a shop window.
  • It is forbidden to dance and drink in the same place.
  • You cannot secretly carry weapons that are more than 6 feet in length.
  • If a woman on a bus or train sat down on a man's lap without placing a pillow between her and the man, she is automatically punished with imprisonment for a term of 6 months.
  • It is forbidden to set fire to someone else's property without the prior permission of the owner.
  • It is forbidden to ride on the aquarium bus as the splashing water may disturb other passengers.
  • It is forbidden to buy TVs on Sunday.
  • There can be no more than two toilets in a building, where flushing is used drinking water... - San Juan County Ordinance No. 7-1995 (approved June 7, 1995).
  • It is forbidden to ride an ugly horse.

The state of Washington (its area is 184.8 thousand square kilometers) is located in the very northwest of the mainland of the United States of America. The population of Washington State with the capital Olympia in 2011 was close to 7 million. Among its largest cities is Seattle, Spokane , Tacoma. The state is adjacent to British Columbia in Canada in the north, has an eastern border with Idaho and a southern border with Oregon, the western border is framed by the Pacific coast.

The eastern expanses of the "Evergreen State" (its unofficial name) are occupied northern foothills Colombian Plain, across the middle part of the Cascade Ridge extends from the very high peak- a volcano Rainier (4392 m). In the west of the state are the Strait of Georgia, Puget Sound and the Mount Olympus conglomerate ( Olimpes , 2424 m). Regional forests are full of many evergreen trees, and herbaceous and shrubby plants, due to the abundance of rain, remain green throughout the year.

How to arrive

Washington State International Airport is located near Olympia. There are airfields near Seattle and SeaTac (they also serve considerable number passengers) and runways located between Seattle and Tacoma. There is no direct connection to Moscow, but you can use the routes leading to Los Angeles or New York, where they change to an interstate liner.

In addition, many ships come to the port of the state of Putgett Sound, including passenger ones, coming from the states of Asia. Big cities Washington DC - Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma and Olympia are connected by the largest ferry system in the United States with 28 high-speed ferries. Water transport travels along the Puget Sound fjord and waterways at 20 points.

The developed railway network, however, does not make passenger freight popular, therefore, a train ticket is sold at a price almost equal to an airplane.

Climatic conditions

They are so different that the weather in the east can be very different from the weather in the west. The pacific ocean brings on West Coast the average annual temperature is + 11 ° C, the Cascade Mountains in the east rule the weather in their own way: it is much drier here, and sometimes drought occurs. Fogs often visit Washington state in winter, cloudy skies and long dripping rains are not uncommon. The summer is mostly sunny and dry. Climatic extremes also occur in the western part of the region: winter arctic cold down to −30 ° C and exorbitant summer heat up to + 45 ° C.

How to have fun, where to go on an excursion and what to see

Over 50% of Washington's population lives in Seattle. Megapolis with Puget Sound Marina is located near the sea Selish ... The city is connected by commercial routes with Asian countries. Seattle is also the largest business center on the coast. And a significant number of attractions of the state are located in Seattle and near it.

Since XIX v. more than one name has been established behind this city. It is called "Royal" or "Emerald City". Among the pseudonyms of the metropolis are also "Gateway to Alaska", "City of Rains" and "Jet City".

The symbol of Seattle, the fantastic appearance of the Space Needle (Space Spire), was erected in the 60s. of the past century. She rises in the possession of the vernissage ensemble Seattle center where the set cultural events... Space Needle often "poses" for American photographers and filmmakers.

The skyscrapers of the Smith Tower, Columbia Center, Washington Michual Tower, as well as the Museum of Music History and Science Fiction in Seattle Center and the wondrous appearance of the Main Library brought glory to Seattle. Travelers flock to Pike Place Market, one of oldest fairs in the USA. It also acts as a center for folklore festivities and performances. street artists, jesters and performers.

Spokane in Washington, DC attracts more tourists who are interested in objects related to the history of the state. And a visit to this city will not disappoint them. 18 iconic urban districts of the city are listed on the US National List of Historic Places - more than half of them are located in the middle part Spokane , named as a historical property. Especially interesting for travelers in 3 epoch-making districts, built in the style Victorian: South Hill, Browne's Addition and Davenport Arts District.

A favorable climate for the growth of vines led to the development of wine production in the state. It is even believed that local wines are included in fife list of the best in the world. And visitors, having tasted the drink, can be convinced of this. The most recognized winery in the state - Chateau ste michelle , its opening took place in 1912.

The state of Washington has established a state right to trade in alcoholic beverages, in particular, over 20% alcohol. The same applies to liqueurs, despite the fact that their strength does not reach the established norm of alcohol content. These drinks are only sold in state-owned stores. They can also be purchased at privately owned wine outlets that have a state license. Beer drinks and wine nectar, the strength of which is below 20%, are bought in ordinary markets and shopping centers.

The nature of Washington

The cascading mountains, which stretch from the north of the state to its southern part, divide the territory of Washington into areas with a pelagic and harsh continental climate. The ridge contains some functioning volcanoes that exceed the height of the Cascade Ridge. These are Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Adams and St. Helens. In fact, only the last of the list (in Russian its name is "Mount St. Helena") occasionally throws its inner contents into the air.

Mount Rainier Volcano (4392 m) and Seattle are 80 km apart, making the breathing mountain one of the most formidable volcanoes on the American mainland. It is also listed as the most aggressive volcanoids in the light. Mount Rainier National Park is also located here. Founded in 1899, it is the 4th natural landmark and one of the everlasting parks in the United States of America. Glaciers brought fame to this National Park, first of all: from more than 20 glaciers at the top volcanoid Mount Rainier is home to the largest glacier on the American mainland. Travelers are presented with the most beautiful canyons and waterfalls, alpine meadows and stunning views of the forest.

Olympic - Washington State National Park adorns the eponymous peninsula in the Pacific Ocean. Mountain range Olympic divides the National Park and the Cape into 2 zones. In the west is the Ho Tropics Forest - one of the wooded rainforests on the mainland of the United States. In the park area, you can sunbathe and splash on the beaches of the Pacific coast, and in 3 Indian reservations you can get acquainted with the life of American Aborigines. While walking in the National Park Olympic tourists will meet with mirror-clear lakes and dense forests, alpine meadows. Tops Olympica covered with about 60 glaciers. Their shimmering brilliance complements the unimaginable beauty of the landscape of the reserve, which is recognized by the International Biosphere Reserve. In addition, the National Park Olympic also listed World heritage: 15 endemic species of fauna and 8 - flora have been preserved in the reserve.


Washington is a state of contrasts, there are flat forests and high mountains, the dynamics of a metropolis and the tranquility of provincial towns. The sights of Washington also differ in their variety. Here you will find entertainment for every taste.

Washington State on USA map

The capital of Washington state is the city of Olympia, it is on its map that the Capitol can be found. This is the third building in a row, the previous buildings remained intact, but their dimensions did not correspond to the growing needs, and now they are just objects of history.

Capitol building

Already in 1911 there was an urgent need for a new building. In 1912, construction began, designed by architects Walter Wilder and Harry White. The last building was completed in 1926, and it also became the central object of the complex. The dome of the legislature to this day remains the tallest in the United States and the fourth tallest in the world.

Devil's Lake

This is one of the most beautiful lakes on earth. On the state map, it is located in the northwestern part, almost at the very border with Canada. It was formed artificially thanks to. The lake seems to be squeezed in a vice between the dam itself and the surrounding mountains. It got its name due to the fact that it has a unique color and changes it from emerald to rich turquoise. The thing is that water contains tiny particles that seem to illuminate it from the bottom.

Devil's Lake in Washington State

The lake has long been chosen by lovers of kayaks. There are many tourist routes... You can rent a campsite and spend a few days in this magical setting. For lovers active rest it is proposed to climb to the top of the mountain and admire the lake from above. Such places are mesmerizing and leave a vivid mark in the memory for a long time.

Railway Museum

Museum railway transport, located in King County, Snoqualmie, takes you back to the late 19th century. TO historical monuments includes an old depot building and railway tracks, their length is more than 5.5 km. In the middle of the 20th century, the building has already become.

Railway Museum in Snovkolmi

During the tour, you can learn about the role of the railway in the formation and development of the state, get a description of historic locomotives and carriages. The most interesting thing remains at the end - a trip on a real old train. The tracks and transport are still in excellent condition, but now their role is entertaining and educational.

The archive, which contains about three thousand volumes, is of great interest to researchers. Here you can study not only the history of the railway, but also the development of technical thought of those ancient times.

Glass Museum

When exploring the sights of Washington DC, be sure to mark the city of Takomu on your map. It is there that the glass museum is located. When you visit it, a real shock awaits you. Not many people know how much glass can be made and what bizarre shapes it takes in the hands of an experienced craftsman. You can see everything - from large-scale art objects to miniature figurines, transparent shine and colored overflows, smooth curves and sharp broken edges.

Glass Museum in Tacoma

The exhibition was originally conceived not only as a "dead" exposition. Each visitor can follow the work of the glassblower, see complex manipulations and even try to repeat them. It is an art workshop and training center at the same time. Here they gladly accept young talents and help hone their skills to the level of high art.

A nice bonus for those who like to save money: every third Thursday of the month, admission is free for visitors.

Glass bridge

The bridge is part of the glass museum, but deserves special attention. On the sides there are showcase walls in which works of master Chihuly are exhibited. There are about 200 of them in total, and none of them is repeated.

Further, two glass pillars appear before the viewer's eyes. Rough-looking lumps of blue-green glass, like precious stones strung on a thin steel rod. They look like an expensive adornment of an unthinkable giant.

Glass Bridge of the Museum of Glass (left)

And at the end of the path, you have to go through a tunnel decorated with glass sea animals. It looks especially beautiful on a sunny day, when rays shine through the glass, creating an incredible kaleidoscope of colors.

Point Defense Zoo & Aquarium

You will not need a state map, the zoo is also located in the city of Tacoma. The beginning of its history lies in the distant 1905. It is one of the few zoos in America to boast such a long history.

The territory, which is home to 367 species of animals, occupies more than five hectares. 50 years after its foundation, an aquarium also appeared here. There you can see fish and animals of the Pacific Ocean and observe their life in an environment close to natural. Several years ago, a zone with animals from the Arctic was opened. Now you can admire polar bears, funny penguins and proud deer.

Breeding of red wolves is of particular importance for the world ecology. In the wild, they are almost gone. The zoo may soon be the only place on the planet where you can see them.

National Park "Olympic"

This park is very easy to find on the state map, it is located on the territory of the peninsula of the same name. The uniqueness of this place is that several climatic zones pass here at once. The coastline is occupied by beaches, with their golden sand and warm sea. "Rain" forests with a climate close to tropical give way to flooded meadows and marvelous lakes. Thrill seekers go to conquer sheer cliffs and mountains.

The heart of the park is Mount Olympus. The ice cap does not melt even in the summer heat. The blue glacier evokes special feelings. An unusual glow can be observed in its crevices. There is nothing mystical about it, the effect is caused by the refraction of light on the ice edges.

The territory of the park is a corner of the present wildlife... The only traces of human intervention are hiking trails... The Maple Trail route is very popular. It passes through an ancient forest with centuries-old moss-covered trees. There is a feeling that you are in a terrible fairy tale.

The Olympic National Park is a great place for an exciting vacation for the whole family.

Bellevue Art Museum

This is one that grew out of an art fair. The founders were a handful of dedicated enthusiasts. The first exhibition took place back in 1947, but only in 2005 it found its permanent home and took one of the leading places in the development of the state's culture.

Bellevue Art Museum

Bellevue is not a museum in the usual sense, one of the goals is to explore contemporary art, design and crafts. The organizers are convinced that craft and design are also an integral part of art, as there is a very large share of creativity in these processes.

Along with local craftsmen, American artists are often exhibited, and international exhibitions are also held. Unlike other museums, there is no permanent exhibition, only temporary exhibits. Together with works of modern art, objects of everyday life can often be seen as exhibition material. They are found here as an example of design thought. Their description as an object of art differs significantly from everyday use.

Stepto Butte Park

The area of ​​the park is about 60 hectares of flat land. This place is very loved by photographers and artists, the reason for this is the outlier cliff, towering in the center of the park. The winding road leads directly to the top of the rock over a kilometer high. From the top, a unique view opens up, stretching into the distance beyond the horizon. A magnificent panorama of a rural landscape, blue mountains and a distant forest expands the space, allowing you to look at the world with different eyes.

View of Steptoe Beauty Park

The remnant remained from the rock, which was located at this place about 400 million years ago. This section of the breed turned out to be the most durable and has been pleasing more than one generation of Americans. Previously, the outlier was called Pyramid Peak, which is caused by its shape. It was then renamed in honor of Edward J. Steptoe, the colonel who led the American forces in the Battle of Pine Creek in 1858. The Indians won, but the memory of the heroic colonel as a fighter for the formation of the state remained in the name of the peak.

Washington State is located in the northwestern United States on the Pacific Ocean, bordering Oregon to the south and Idaho to the east, as well as Canada. This is a fairly large state, with an area of ​​185 sq. km, population - more than 6 million people. The capital of Washington is Olympia, the largest cities are Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma.

As a rule, the state is simply called "Washington", in contrast to the US capital, Washington, which is also located in a completely different state (the abbreviation DC is usually added to the name of the capital of the state - District of Columbia, that is, the District of Columbia in which it is located ). Another, unofficial name for Washington, is the "evergreen state": there are many trees in the local forests, and thanks to abundant rains, grasses and shrubs remain green throughout the year. Another nickname is the "state of contrasts". The fact is that on its territory you can see a variety of landscapes: mountain ranges and plains, semi-deserts and unique rain forests, plateaus and ocean coast.

Washington State is home to grunge music and a distinct coffee culture, with many American coffee chains based in Seattle. The names of Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Bruce Lee, Bill Gates are associated with Washington.

How to get there

  • by plane

The largest airports in Washington State are located 6 km from Olympia, in Seattle and in Cityac, between the cities of Seattle and Tacoma. There are no direct flights from Moscow, but daily you can fly connecting flights from Los Angeles or New York. The most popular carriers are American Airlines, Delta, United and Northwest.

  • on the ship

In addition, many ships arrive at Puteget Sound, including cruise passengers, mainly from Asian countries. And Washington's major cities such as Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma and Olympia are served by the largest ferry system in the United States of 28 high-speed ferries, operating along Puget Sound and inland waterways to 20 ports. It is the largest ferry system in the States and the third largest in the world.

The USA has a developed system railways, however, in Washington, this type of transport is not particularly popular: a train ticket costs approximately the same as the cost of an air ticket.

  • by car

Washington has also built a large network of government highways, so you can come here from neighboring states and Canada by car.

Find flights to Washington (closest airport to Washington State)

Weather

The state's climate varies greatly from west to east: the ridges of the Cascade Mountains divide Washington into eastern and western parts. Air masses from the Pacific Ocean create a humid climate in the western part, thanks to which there are unique rain forests in these places (usually they are found in areas with hot climates, but here they grow at very moderate temperatures). On the Pacific coast, the average annual temperature is + 11 ° C. In the east, beyond the Cascade Mountains, the climate is arid, average temperature+4 ° C. In winter, there are frequent fogs, cloudiness and prolonged drizzling rains; summers are generally sunny and dry. However, climatic extremes are not uncommon in the western region: Arctic cold fronts in winter (up to −30 ° C) and intense heat in summer (up to +45 ° C).

Popular hotels

Best Photos of Washington State

Washington State Attractions & Attractions

About 60% of Washington's residents live in Seattle, a transportation, business and industrial center in the western part of the state near the Selish Sea. Trade routes run through the ports of Puget Sound with Asian countries and Seattle itself is considered the largest business center on the coast. Most of Washington's attractions are concentrated in Seattle and its environs.

Seattle is home to Boeing, Starbucks, Velve (manufacturer of computer games Dota 2? Counter-Strike, Half-Life), and Amazon.

Seattle's trademark is the Space Needle (Space Needle), erected in the early 1960s. in the territory exhibition complex Seattle Center (This is the center for many city and cultural events). The Space Needle has been immortalized by many American photographers and filmmakers. In addition, Seattle is famous for its skyscrapers: the Smith Tower, Columbia Center, Washington Michual Tower, as well as the Museum of Music History and Science Fiction in Seattle Center and a fantastic building. central library... One more interesting place- Pike Place Market, one of the oldest public markets in the United States, a center for festivities and a venue for street actors, clowns and singers.

Another tourist centre state - Spokane, more interesting for history buffs. 18 districts of the city are included in the US National Register of Historic Places - that is, more than 50% of central Spokane is recognized as historical heritage. Of particular interest are three Victorian-style districts: South Hill, Browne's Addition and Davenport Arts District.

There is an opinion that wines from this state are even included in the top five in the world - and tourists are invited to make sure of this for themselves. The most famous winery is Chateau Ste Michelle in Woodinville, opened in 1954.

In the state of Washington, the state is a monopoly in the sale of alcohol. Monopoly applies to everything alcoholic drinks stronger than 20%, as well as liqueurs (even if the alcohol content in them is less than 20%) - they can be bought only in state stores or private wineries that have a state license. Beer and wine that contains less than 20% alcohol can be bought at regular stores and supermarkets.

Washington State Nature & National Parks

Cascade mountains stretch from north to south, dividing the state into zones of maritime and sharply continental climates. In the ridge of the Cascade Mountains there are several active volcanoes which are much higher than the rest mountain range: Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, St Helens and Mount Adams. However, in fact, only St. Helens (or Mount St. Helena) erupts periodically.

Only 80 km from Seattle is located Mount Rainier volcano height of 4392 m - due to its proximity to the metropolis, it is considered the most dangerous volcano in the continental United States and is included in the list of the ten most dangerous volcanoes in the world. It is also home to the national park of the same name, one of the oldest in the United States - it was founded in 1899, the fourth among the country's national parks. It is known not only for its glaciers (there are more than two dozen of them on its territory, and the largest glacier in the continental United States is located on the top of Rainier itself), but also for its picturesque valleys, waterfalls, meadows and forests.

Olympic National Park is located on the peninsula of the same name in the Pacific Ocean. The Olympic mountain range divides the park and the peninsula itself in two. The western one is famous for the Ho Rainforest - one of the few tropical rainforests in the continental United States, beaches on the Pacific coast and three Indian reservations open to tourists. In the west, the climate is more arid. On the territory of the national park clean lakes, dense forests, meadows, and on the peaks of Olympic there are about six dozen glaciers.

Olympic National Park has the status of an international biosphere reserve and is included in the World Heritage List due to its peculiar flora and fauna: it was isolated from the mainland for a long time, and its lands have preserved 15 endemic animal species and 8 plant species.

Washington(eng. Washington[ˈWɒʃɪŋtən]) is a state in the northwestern United States, the 42nd state within the country. The capital is the city of Olympia, The largest city-. To avoid confusion with the capital of the United States, the name of the latter is usually accompanied by the phrase "District of Columbia" (in the English version - "Washington, D.C."), and the word "state" is added to the name of the state. The official nickname is "The Evergreen State".

In the north, the state of Washington is bordered by the Canadian province of British Columbia, in the east - with the state of Idaho, in the south - with the state of Oregon. In the west, it is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. On the coast of the state is Cape Alava, the westernmost point of the Continental States.

Story

Before the arrival of the Europeans on the west coast, the territory of present-day Washington was inhabited by numerous Indian tribes who hunted for fishing and whale hunting. Among the main inhabitants of the coastal area were the Chinook, Lammi, Quinolt, Makah, Skokomish, Sukvomish Kileute, Sinikst, Daughter-in-law, and others. The plain was inhabited by Kayus, Ne-Persian, Okanogan, Vanapam, Palus, Spokane, Venatchi and Yakama. Currently, the Indians live on 20 reservations, of which the largest is Yakima.

The first European, whose appearance in this territory was recorded in the chronicles, was the Spanish captain Bruno de Esseta, who arrived here in 1775 at the head of a squadron of two ships. In 1778, British Captain James Cook sailed at the mouth of the Juan de Fuca Strait, but the first straits that now separate Washington and British Columbia were explored in 1789 by the expedition of Captain Charles Barkley. In the early 1790s, Spanish captains Manuel Quimper and Francisco Elisa, as well as the British, George Vancouver, continued their exploration. In 1792, Captain Robert Gray discovered the mouth of the Columbia River.

In 1819 Spain renounced its claims to the territory of the present state in favor of the United States. Since then, the territory has become the subject of a dispute between the United States and Great Britain. The dispute was resolved in favor of the United States on June 15, 1846, when the Oregon Treaty was concluded.

In 1848, the Oregon Territory was organized on the lands ceded to the United States. On November 25, 1852, a group of prominent settlers from Cowlitz and Puget Sound gathered for the "Monticello Convention" and drafted a petition to the District of Columbia calling for a separate Territory north of the Columbia River, the "Territory of Columbia." Three months later, the US Congress passed a bill to create it. Congressman Richard Stanton of Kentucky proposed naming the Territory after George Washington, and eventually Territory of Columbia became Washington Territory.

After a series of territorial changes, November 11, 1889 Territory Washington became the 42nd state in the United States.

Ethnic origin of residents

  • 20.9% Germans
  • 12.6% British
  • 12.6% Irish
  • 1.2% Danes
  • 3.9% Swedish
  • 6.2% Norwegians
  • 4.1% Americans
  • 3.6% Italian
  • 4.0% French
  • 3.4% Scots
  • 2.6% Irish Scots
  • 2.5% Dutch
  • 2.1% Russians
  • 1.9% Poles
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