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Washington, named in honor of the nation's first president and popularly known as the Evergreen State because of its extensive forests, is located in the extreme northwestern corner of the continental United States. The Canadian province of British Columbia lies to the north, and the states of Idaho and Oregon form Washington's eastern and southern borders. Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean lie to the west.
I live in the Yakima County Yakima, the seat of Yakima County, lies in south central Washington, southeast of Seattle. The city processes the area's fruit, mint, and hops. The Cascade Range and Mount Rainier National Park are nearby. The original settlement, now called Union Gap, lies south of the city.
WASHINGTON � Culture and Historic Sites: In addition to the cultural activities of Washington's universities and college, the state has symphony orchestras in Seattle, Spokane, and other communities; the Cornish College of the Arts is at Seattle. The two state historical societies are in Tacoma and Spokane; the State Capitol Museum is in Olympia; and art museums or galleries are located in Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and other cities. The Museum of History and Industry and the Pacific Science Center are both in Seattle; the Museum of Native American Cultures is in Spokane. Regional museums include the Whatcom Museum of History and Art at Bellingham.
The Whitman Mission National Historic Site near Walla Walla commemorates the Indian mission established in 1836 by Marcus Whitman. The Hudson's Bay Company had its headquarters at Fort Vancouver from 1825 to 1849. Interest in Washington's heritage increased greatly with preparations for the state's centennial in 1989. Pioneer museums, national historic districts, restored fur trading posts such as Spokane House and Fort Okanogan, and former army posts such as Fort Simcoe and Fort Spokane, are notable heritage sites.
Agriculture: Although providing less than 5% of the gross state product, agriculture remains of major importance in the Columbia Basin, where federal irrigation projects have brought extensive acreage under cultivation and have greatly enhanced productivity. Washington's leading agricultural commodities are wheat, dairy products, cattle, and apples, of which Washington is the nation's leading producer. Pears, hops, grapes, plums, and cherries are also leading products in various parts of the state; berries, poultry, and dairy farming are significant west of the Cascades.
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The Counties Are: Clallam County, Grays Harbor County, King County,Kitsap County, Pierce County, Skagit County,
Thurston County, Whatcom County, Whitman County, Yakima County.
The County Seats Are: Clallam, Grays Harbor, Kitsap, Pierce, Skagit,
Thurston, Whatcom, Whitman, Yakima.
The National Parks Are: Mount Rainier National Park, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Park.
The State Capitol Is: Olyimpia.
Attraction Ideas: Activities for Children, Golf Courses, Gardens, Indian Cultural Centers, Museums / Galleries,
River Rafting, Whitewater, Kayaking and Sea Kayaking, Sporting Events, Whale Watching, Winter Recreation, Zoos and Wildlife Centers.
The Historical Sites Are: Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier.
HISTORY
Indians have inhabited Washington for more than 10,000 years and developed lifestyles that remained little changed until European explorers arrived two centuries ago. Remains discovered at Marmes Cave, North Bonneville, and elsewhere have provided archaeological evidence. The settled Coast Salish bands of western Washington--including the Chinook, Nisqually, and Puyallup--lived in cedar lodges, had salmon and shellfish as their staples, and developed elaborate potlatch ceremonies. The plateau Indians of the interior--including the Nez Perce, Okanogan, Spokan, and Yakima--were nomadic hunters who eventually lived in skin tepees and depended on the horse for their peripatetic lifestyle.
www.wa.gov
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Tourism: With much of its total area available for recreational purposes, Washington has become a major tourist state in recent decades. Three national parks (Olympic, Mount Rainier, North Cascades), several national forests (including Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Gifford Pinchot, and Olympic), and various wilderness and national recreational areas, together with many state and county parks, provide opportunities in every part of the state for year-round recreation, including winter sports, mountaineering, backpacking, and water sports. Private resort areas, especially in the mountains and close to rivers and lakes, supplement the public lands. They include ski resorts, dude ranches, hunting lodges, and fishing camps.
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