Washington State Almanac: Facts and Figures

Quick Facts, Figures, and Overview of the State of Washington

Washington Almanac: Fast Facts and Figures on the State of Washington

Washington is one of the Pacific Northwest states of the US. The state is home both to the Clearwater as well as the Snake River. It consists further of the Cascade range which divides the state into two portions: western and eastern. Washington is located north of Oregon, west of Idaho, and south of the Canadian province of British Columbia on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Washington Territory established in 1853 was named to honor George Washington.

Washington is a leading lumber producer. Its rugged surface is rich in stands of Douglas fir, hemlock, ponderosa and white pine, spruce, larch, and cedar. The state holds first place in apples, lentils, dry edible peas, hops, pears, red raspberries, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries, and ranks high in apricots, asparagus, grapes, peppermint oil, and potatoes. Livestock and livestock products make important contributions to total farm revenue and the commercial fishing catch of salmon, halibut, and bottomfish makes a significant contribution to the state's economy.

Manufacturing industries in Washington include aircraft and missiles, shipbuilding and other transportation equipment, lumber, food processing, metals and metal products, chemicals, and machinery.

Washington has over 1,000 dams, including the Grand Coulee, built for a variety of purposes including irrigation, power, flood control, and water storage

Washington Almanac: Facts on the State of Washington

Official Name Washington
Capital Olympia
Nicknames Evergreen State  ...and more
Motto Al-ki (By and by)
Location
Region
47.04191 N, 122.89376 W
Pacific States
Northwestern
Northwest, Pacific
Constitution Ratified 1889
Statehood November 11, 1899
42nd state
Population 6,724,540 (2010)
88.52 sq. mi.
15th
Largest City
(by population)
10 largest cities (2010 est.):Seattle, 608,660; Spokane, 208,916; Tacoma, 198,397; Vancouver, 161,791; Bellevue, 122,363; Everett, 103,019; Kent, 92,411; Yakima, 91,067; Renton, 90,927; Spokane Valley, 89,755
Bordering States North: Canadian province of British Columbia
East: Idaho
South: Oregon (Columbia River forms much of the S boundary)
West: Pacific Ocean
North West: Juan de Fuca Strait, Haro Strait, and the Strait of Georgia separate the state from Canada's Vancouver Island) (Puget Sound deeply indents the Northwestern part of the state) All bodies of water contain numerous islands that form part of the state.
Coastline: 157 mi.
Major Industry 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
Washington Counties 39 Counties in Washington
Largest County
(by population)
King County
1,931,249 (2010)
2,126 sq. mi.
Largest County
(by area)
Okanogan County
5,268 sq. mi.
State forest lands 2.1 million ac.
Electoral Votes 11
State parks 120
US Congress 2 Senators; 9 Representatives
Time Zone Pacific Standard Time
Zip Codes NANPA
State Quick Facts Census Bureau Quick Facts


Washington Climate and Weather

Washington's climate varies greatly from west to east. The west is mild and humid, while east of the Cascades a cooler dry climate prevails. The average annual temperature ranges from 51 degrees on the Pacific coast to 40 degrees in the northeast.

The climate in western Washington is mild because of the warm currents coming off of the North Pacific. This area has frequent cloud cover, considerable fog, and long-lasting drizzles. Summer is much sunnier, yet still mild. Average high temperatures here approach 70 degrees.

The western side of the Olympic Peninsula receives up to 160 inches of precipitation annually, making it the wettest area of the 48 continental states. Weeks or even months may pass without a clear day.

Portions of the Puget Sound area, on the eastern side of the Olympic Mountains, are less wet, although still humid. The western slopes of the Cascade Range receive some of the heaviest annual snowfall in the country (over 200 inches annually)
Highest Temperature 118 degrees
August 5, 1961 - Ice Harbor Dam
Lowest Temperature -48 degrees
December 30, 1968 - Mazama and Winthrop
Avg. Temp:
High - Low
84.0 degrees - 20.0 degrees

Washington Points of Interest

Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Seattle, Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, Olympic National Park and Spokane "Near Nature, Near Perfect".

Washington Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations (Feet)

Mean Elevation: 1,700 feet

Highest Point: Mt. Rainier: 14,410 feet

Mt. Rainier: 14,410 feetMount Rainier is the highest and third most voluminous volcano of the Cascade Range. The main cone of this stratovolcano has formed since 730,000 years ago. Mount Rainier is potentially the most dangerous volcano in the Cascades because it is very steep, covered in large amounts of ice and snow, and near a large population that lives in lowland drainages. Numerous debris avalanches start on the volcano. The largest debris avalanche traveled more than 60 miles (100 km) to Puget Sound. The most recent eruption was about 2,200 years ago and covered the eastern half of the park with up to one foot (30 cm) of lapilli, blocks, and bombs

Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean
Sea level

Washington Land Area (Square Miles)

Geographic Center In Chelan County, 10 mi. WSW of Wenatchee
Longitude: 120°16.1'W
Latitude: 47°20.0' N
Total Area 71,299.64 sq. mi
18th
Land Area 66,544.06 sq. mi
93.34%
Water Area 4,755.58 sq. mi
6.66%
Forested Land Area 51.4%
Dimensions
(Length - Width)
360 miles - 240 miles
County Information and County History
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