THINGS TO DO IN WASHINGTON

Demographics

Statehood: November 11, 1889, the 42nd State

Capital: Olympia

Total Area: 19th among States 182,949 sq km (70,637 sq mi)

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

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

Total Population: 14th among States
2000 Census - 5,894,121
2005 Estimates - 6,287,759

Population Density in 2000: 32 people per sq km (83 per sq mi)

Distribution in 1999: 76% Urban, 24% Rural

Economy:
Gross State Product - $244 billion (2003)
Personal income per capita - $33,332 (2003)

Largest cities in 2000:
Seattle: 580,089
Spokane: 199,630
Tacoma: 196,957

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.
In 1997 Gary Locke became the first Asian American governor in the continental United States.
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.

State Facts