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Washington
Capital:
Olympia
State abbreviation/Postal code:
Wash./WA
Nickname:
Evergreen State
Origin of name:
Named after George Washington
Briefs on
Washington :
Located in the Pacific Northwest of the United
States, the state of Washington is characterized by deserts,
snowcapped mountains, lush farmland, river gorge, uneven ocean
shoreline and huge temperate rain forests. The state that derived its
name from the famous personality George Washington, the first
president of the United States, is a wonderful place for people of all
ages.
Usually the state of Washington is confused for
the nation’s capital city, Washington DC. However the two are
different places altogether.
 Washington is a densely populated state. The
approximate population of the state, 5,894,121 makes it the fourteenth
most populated state in the Union. The capital of Washington is the
beautiful city of Olympia. Olympia is the home to the famous historic
Capitol Building that was constructed between 1921 and 1928 and is one
of the tallest masonary domes in the world. But to watch the Capitol
Building is not the only reason to visit Olympia. The downtown area
and the boardwalk at the Percival’s Landing right below the Capitol
Building are also extremely delightful.
Another wonderful city of Washington is Seattle.
Seattle is also the largest city in the state. The aura of this city
and its aerial view is mind-blowing as it is surrounded by water and
mountains. The city is famous for magnificent museums such as the
Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Asian Art Museum, The Henry or the Frye
Art Gallery; the visual arts at Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Seattle
Opera House; the underground tours; waterfront and Pike Place Public
Farmers’ Market famous for fish throwers etc.
Washington is a state with very old origins. The
region was once inhabited by Native Americans. These people brought
their own culture, tradition and commerce to the place. Salmon fishing
and whale hunting were their prominent activities.
The Native Americans were followed by the
Europeans. In 1775 the Spanish captain Don Bruno de Heceta was the
first European to explore the place.
The region of Cape Flattery in Clallam County of
Washington was discovered in 1778 and its discoverer was British
explorer James Cook. Later on the straits were explored by Captain
Charles W. Barkley in 1789, Mauel Quimper in 1790, Francisco Eliza in
1791 and British Captain George Vancouver in 1792. On 10th
October 1805 the Lewis and Clark expedition entered the state.
In 1819 Spain ceded the original powers of the
authority to the United States government. This led to the Oregon
boundary dispute in which the American and the British forces claimed
the Oregon County, a region of northwestern North America. This
dispute did not end before 15th June 1846 when under the
Treaty of Oregon Britain ceded their claims to this land to United
States.
In 1853 the Washington territory was formed from
part of the Oregon Territory. On 11th November 1889
Washington was declared the 42nd state in the United
States.
During the Second World War the Puget Sound area
of Washington was the center of war industries. In 1943 due to its
Hanford Works Atomic Energy Washington played a crucial role in
creation of nation’s atomic bombs.
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