Washington

 Facts, Map, and State Symbols

Washington was the 42nd state in the USA; it became a state on November 11, 1889.

State Abbreviation - WA

State Capital - Olympia

Largest City - Seattle

Area - 71,303 square miles [Washington is the 18th biggest state in the USA]

Population - 5,894,121 (as of 2000) [Washington is the 15th most populous state in the USA]

Name for Residents - Washingtonians

Major Industries - farming (fruit, berries, nuts, cattle, wheat), lumber, tourism, hydroelectric power, computer software, aircraft, aluminum refining 

Major Rivers - Columbia River, Snake River, Yakima River

Major Lakes - Lake Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lake Washington

Highest Point - Mt. Rainier - 14,410 feet (4,392 m) above sea level

Number of Counties - 39

Bordering States - Idaho, Oregon 

Bordering Country - Canada

Bordering Bodies of Water - Pacific Ocean, Puget Sound 

Origin of the Name Washington - This state is named for George Washington, the first president of the USA.

State Nickname - The Evergreen State

State Motto - "Alki" (By and By)

State Song - Washington, My Home 

Washington State Symbols and Emblems:

State Flag

Washington's official flag was adopted in 1923. The flag has a deep green background with the state seal in the center. The state seal pictures George Washington, the first president of the United States. "THE SEAL OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON" is written in black on the yellow band surrounding George Washington. The state seal was designed in 1889 by Charles Talcott. This is the only US state flag that pictures a president and the only one with a green background.