Washington

Washington is a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The state capital is Olympia and the largest city in Washington is Seattle. As of the 2000 census, the state population was approximately 5.9 million and the state work force numbered about 3.1 million. Residents are called "Washingtonians" (emphasis on the third syllable, which rhymes with bone).

Geography

Washington is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Oregon to the south (the Columbia River forming most of this border), Idaho to the east and British Columbia, Canada to the north. It is famous for scenery of breathtaking beauty and sharp contrasts. High mountains rise above evergreen forests and sparkling coastal waters. Its coastal location and Puget Sound harbors give it a leading role in trade with Alaska, Canada, and the Pacific Rim. Puget Sound's many islands are served by the largest ferry fleet in the United States.

Related Topics:
Pacific Ocean - Oregon - Columbia River - Idaho - British Columbia - Canada - Mountain - Evergreen - Forest - Puget Sound - Alaska - Pacific Rim - Ferry fleet

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Washington is a land of contrasts. The deep forests of the Olympic Peninsula are among the rainiest places in the world and the only rainforests (such as the Hoh Rain Forest) in the continental United States, but the flat semi-desert that lies east of the Cascade Range 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 on clear days. The eastern side of the state can be divided into two regions: the Okanogan Highlands and the Columbia River Basin.

Related Topics:
Olympic Peninsula - Rain - Hoh Rain Forest - United States - Desert - Cascade Range - Tree - Snow - Mount Rainier - Seattle - Tacoma - Okanogan - Highlands - Columbia River Basin

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Washington is also notable for being home to four of the five longest floating bridges in the world: the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge and Homer M. Hadley Bridge over Lake Washington, and the Hood Canal Bridge connecting the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas.

Related Topics:
Floating bridge - Evergreen Point Floating Bridge - Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge - Homer M. Hadley Bridge - Lake Washington - Hood Canal Bridge - Olympic - Kitsap Peninsula

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See also Central Washington, Columbia River Plateau, Eastern Washington, Inland Empire, Kitsap Peninsula, Palouse, Western Washington.

Related Topics:
Central Washington - Columbia River Plateau - Eastern Washington - Inland Empire - Kitsap Peninsula - Palouse - Western Washington

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Geographical features

• Puget Sound
• Bainbridge Island
• Camano Island
• San Juan Islands
• Whidbey Island
• Vashon Island
• Columbia River
• Snake River
• Yakima River

A fuller list of Washington's islands appears here.

Related Topics:
Island - Here

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• Cascade Range
• Mount Adams
• Mount Baker
• Glacier Peak
• Mount Rainier
• Mount St. Helens
• Mount Stuart
• Olympic Mountains
• Mount Olympus