Washington

=Washington=

Map Obtained from: []

About Washington
 Washington is famous for scenery of breathtaking beauty and sharp contrasts. High mountains rise above evergreen forests and sparkling coastal waters. The deep forests of the Olympic Peninsula are among the rainiest places in the world but the flat semi-desert 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. In 1853, the Washington Territory was formed from part of the Oregon Territory. Its coastal location and Puget Sound harbors give it a leading role in trade with Alaska, Canada, and the Pacific Rim. The state has two major mountain ranges--the 7,000-foot Olympic Mountains surrounded by temperate rain forest on the peninsula west of Puget Sound, and the more majestic Cascade Range, which boasts the 14,410-foot Mount Rainier and the volcanic Mount St. Helens, which erupted twice in the 1980s.

Source: []

State Flag
**The state flag and the state seal are similar. Passed in 1923, Washington state law describes the flag as having dark green bunting with a state seal in the center. It is the only state flag that is green. It is also the only state flag with a picture of a president. **

Source: [|http://www.50states.com/flag/waflag.htm]



State Facts

 * Capital:** Olympia
 * Nickname:** Evergreen State
 * Motto:** Alki (By and By)
 * Statehood:** November 11, 1889 (42nd)
 * Land Area**: 66,582 sq. mi., 20th largest
 * Bird:** Willow Goldfinch
 * Flower:** Western Rhododendron (rhododendron macrophyllum)
 * Tree**: Western Hemlock (tsuga heterophylla)
 * Song:** Washington, My Home

Source: [|http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/state/washington.html]

****Population & Cities****

 * Population:** 5,894,121
 * Largest City:** Seattle
 * Second Largest City**: Spokane **Persons Per Square Mile**: 89

Source: [|http://www.census.gov/schools/facts/washington.html]

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