WASHINGTON Main Info

As part of the vast Oregon Country, Washington territory was visited by Spanish, American, and British explorers—Bruno Heceta for Spain in 1775, the American Capt. Robert Gray in 1792, and Capt. George Vancouver for Britain in 1792–1794. Lewis and Clark explored the Columbia River region and coastal areas for the U.S. in 1805–1806.

Rival American and British settlers and conflicting territorial claims threatened war in the early 1840s. However, in 1846 the Oregon Treaty set the boundary at the 49th parallel and war was averted.

Washington is a leading lumber producer. Its rugged surface is rich in stands of Douglas fir, hemlock, ponderosa and white pine, spruce, larch, and cedar. The state holds first place in apples, lentils, dry edible peas, hops, pears, red raspberries, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries, and ranks high in apricots, asparagus, grapes, peppermint oil, and potatoes. Livestock and livestock products make important contributions to total farm revenue and the commercial fishing catch of salmon, halibut, and bottomfish makes a significant contribution to the state's economy.

Manufacturing industries in Washington include aircraft and missiles, shipbuilding and other transportation equipment, lumber, food processing, metals and metal products, chemicals, and machinery.

Washington has over 1,000 dams, including the Grand Coulee, built for a variety of purposes including irrigation, power, flood control, and water storage. Its abundance of electrical power makes Washington one of the nation's major producers of refined aluminum.

Among the major points of interest: Mt. Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks. Mount St. Helens, a peak in the Cascade Range, erupted in May 1980. Also of interest are Whitman Mission and Fort Vancouver National Historic Sites; and the Pacific Science Center and the Space Needle, in Seattle.

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See more on Washington:
Encyclopedia: Washington
Encyclopedia: Geography
Encyclopedia: Economy
Encyclopedia: Government
Encyclopedia: History
Monthly Temperature Extremes

Selected famous natives and residents:

Earl Anthony professional bowler;
Mildred Bailey singer;
Bob Barker TV host;
Dyan Cannon actress;
Raymond Carver writer;
Carol Channing actress;
Ray Charles singer and musician;
Kurt Cobain rock musician;
Judy Collins singer;
Chris Cornell rock musician;
Fred Couples professional golfer;
Bing Crosby singer and actor;
Bob Crosby musician;
Merce Cunningham choreographer;
Howard Duff actor;
Frances Farmer actress;
Kenny G. saxophonist;
Bill Gates software executive;
Jimi Hendrix guitarist;
Frank Herbert writer;
Robert Joffrey choreographer;
Chuck Jones animator;
Quincy Jones music producer;
Hank Ketcham cartoonist;
Gary Larson cartoonist;
Gypsy Rose Lee entertainer;
Kenny Loggins rock musician;
Mary McCarthy novelist;
Guthrie McClintic theatrical producer and director;
John McIntire actor;
Steve Miller rock musician;
Robert Motherwell artist;
Patrice Munsel soprano;
Craig T. Nelson actor;
Ella Raines actress;
Ahmad Rashad football player;
Ann Reinking dancer and actress;
Tom Robbins novelist;
Ann Rule writer;
Francis Scobee astronaut;
Seattle Suquamish chief;
Smohalla Indian prophet and chief;
Hillary Swank actress;
Julia Sweeney actress;
Adam West actor;
Audrey Wurdemann poet.