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Facts about Washington

History | Symbols | Interesting Facts | Famous People

Demographics
Statehood:  November 11, 1889, the 42nd State

Capital:  Olympia

Total Area:  19th among States 184,827 sq km (71,362 sq mi)

Water Area:  10,502 sq km(4,055 sq mi)

Highest Point:  Mount Rainier 4,392 m (14,410 ft)

Total Population:  13th among States
2010 Census -
6,724,540

Population Density in 2010:  101.2 people per sq mi

Distribution in 2000:  79.9% Urban, 20.1% Rural

Economy:
Gross State Product -   $351.1 billion (2010)
Personal income per capita - $41,751 (2009)

Largest cities in 2010:
Seattle:  608,660
Spokane:  208,916
Tacoma:  198,397

  • On May 18, 1980, Mount Saint Helens erupted in Washington, resulting in 57 deaths and billions of dollars in damage.
     
  • According to the 1990 census, more than half the residents of metropolitan Seattle were born outside Washington. 
     

  • Governor Gary Locke is the first Chinese-American governor in U.S. history.
     

  • In addition to its state song, Washington also has an official state folk song: Roll on Columbia, Roll On.
     

  • Washington is number one in the country in the production of these fruits and vegetables: apples, lentils, dry edible peas, hops, pears, red raspberries, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries.
     

  • Washington is home to Boeing, the world's largest aircraft maker.
     

  • Washington has over 1,000 dams.
     

  • Lewis and Clark explored the Columbia River area of what is now Washington in 1805-06.
     

  • The state of Washington is the only state to be named after a United States president.
     

  • Microsoft Corporation is located in Redmond.
     

  • Starbucks, the biggest coffee chain in the world was founded in Seattle.
     

  • Medina is the home of the world's wealthiest man, Microsoft's Bill Gates.