WASHINGTON-THE STATE
FROM A TO Z

A IS FOR AGRICULTURE, AMISH, & ARCHEOLOGY

• AGRICULTURE is an important part of the economy in Washington, and the state leads the country in the production of several crops. The Palouse in Whiteman County produces more wheat than any other county in the country. The apple industry in Washington began with seeds brought from England. The State Soil is tokul which is among the most productive soils in the world. County Fairs are held throughout the state. Washington has 4-H Clubs and chapters of Future Farmers of America. The National Agriculture Statistic Service and AG in the Classroom provide information about agriculture.

• The Amish way of life largely revolves around working and socializing together as a family and community. Washington has Amish and Mennonites.

• October is ARCHEOLOGY Month in Washington. The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture has archaeology and paleontology events. The museum sponsors Archaeology Day on October 7 and offers a weeklong camp for kids in the summer.

• The Ocean BEACHES in the state of Washington are split up into 2 areas - North and South. There are many beaches inland on rivers and lakes. Long Beach peninsula claims to be the longest beach in the country. Cranberry Lake in Deception Pass State Park has both saltwater and freshwater beaches.

• Many species of BIRDS are found throughout Washington. Birdwatching is popular, and there are several special birdwatching sites. The State Bird is the Goldfinch. The town of Bickleton is nicknamed the Bluebird Capital of the world. Deming Eagle Park near Bellingham is a transit area for eagles and other wildlife. Some birds are endangered.

• Washington has over 3,000 BRIDGES including Historic Bridges and Suspension Bridges. About 50 new bridges are built each year. Four of the 8 floating bridges in the world are located in Washington. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge is one of the largest suspension bridges in the world. The Fred Redmon Memorial Bridge is the longest single concrete bridge in North America. The Astoria-Megler Bridge is the longest continuous steel span truss bridge in the world. The Ed Hendler Bridge is the 2nd longest cable-stayed bridge in the world. Some of the bridges in Washington were originally built by the Great Northern Railway, and 79 bridges are on the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge at Deception Pass is the most photographed bridge in the state. The longest and widest of the first floating bridges in the world are in Seattle.

• Washington has many Scenic BYWAYS. National Scenic Byways include Highway 410 from Enumclaw to Naches, Interstate 90 from Seattle to Thorpe, and Route 12 West of Port Angelus. The Cascade Loop is a self-guided driving tour and goes through several regions. The state has many types of trails including new Birding Trails and celebrates National Trails Day. Washington has many Roadside Attractions including the Ye Olde Curiosity Shop in Seattle, and Maryhill, Sam Hills Stonehenge.

• Olympia is the CAPITOL of Washington. The Capital Building was completed in 1928. The dome is one of the highest in the world and one of the very few in the United States built entirely of stone. The building was damaged in an earthquake in 2001 but repairs were made and it is now open. Seattle is becoming known as the Coffee Capital of the world.

• All forms of COMMUNICATION are available throughout the state including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, telephone, and Internet. The state has 6 telephone area codes. Internet providers are located throughout the state. TECHNOLOGY Alliance provides programs and research studies in Washington. Web Cams are located throughout the state including web cam views of Washington State ferries.

• There are 39 COUNTIES Washington. King County has the largest population and Garfield has the smallest. Okanogan is the largest county by area and San Juan is the smallest. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states for the level of local government below the state itself. Seattle is the largest city in the state.

• Washington has 15 major DAMS and many Locks. The dams range in size from very small irrigation dams to the enormous Grand Coulee Dam which is the largest concrete structure in the world and the largest hydroelectric facility in the country. The state leads the country in production of hydroelectricity. The Department of Ecology regulates nearly 900 non-federal dams in the state. The Chittenden Locks provide a link between Puget Sound and the Ship Canal connecting to Lake Union and Lake Washington. Ice Harbor Lock on the Lower Snake River is one of the highest single-life locks in the world. Solar Power and Wind Power are other sources of energy. The Stateline Wind Project is one of the largest in the world.

• The State DANCE of Washington is the square dance. This type of dance is performed by groups of four couples. Dancers follow the directions of a "caller" and most of the music is provided by fiddles, banjos, and guitars.

• The Methow Valley in Washington is among the few places in this part of the world that has deposits that contain fossils of DINOSAURS. The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture features dinosaurs and has a Dinosaur Day in March. The Pacific Science Center in Seattle has an exhibit with 5 robotic dinosaurs.

• Most of the largest EARTHQUAKES in Washington have occurred in the Puget Sound Region. The largest earquake in the state occurred near Lake Chelan in 1872. The US Geological Survey provides information about earthquakes in the state. FEMA also provides information about earthquakes.

• Public EDUCATION is free and mandatory for any child age 8-18.
  The Essential Academic Learning Requirements are clear targets for students and teachers. Washington also has private schools that are required to comply with state standards and regulations. The First school in Washington opened at Fort Vancouver in 1832. Wilkeson has the oldest elementary school in the state and is listed as a Historic Site. Information about schools is available from GreatSchools and SchoolBug.

• Washington has many EVENTS during the year including many festivals, and State and County Fairs. The First Father's Day was held in Spokane in 1910.

• The Washington State Fish is the steelhead trout. It is known as the rainbow trout when its life is spent entirely in fresh water. Several other species of fish are found in lakes, rivers, and coastal waters, and fishing is a popular activity. Washington has several National Fish Hatcheries - Carson Entiat, Leavenworth, Little White Salmon, Makah,Quilcene, Quinault, Spring Creek, Willard, and Winthrop
• The FLAG of Washington is a deep green and has the State Seal in the center. Some counties and cities have a flag. Many Native American Tribes have a flag including The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Colville Confederated Tribes, Jamestown S'Klallam, Kalispel or Pend d'Orielle, Lower Elwha Klallam, Lummi, Makah, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Quileute, Quinault, Spokane, Squaxin Island S'Homamish, Suquamish, Swinomish, Tulalip, Upper Skagit, and Yakima.

• The FOOD in Washington reflects the unique geography, people, and history. It blends fresh produce, seafood, and locally raised meats into a light style of cooking, simply prepared and unadorned by heavy sauces. Food Banks are located throughout the state. The Washington State Department of Agriculture carries out numerous programs related to food and animals.

• A variety of FOSSILS have been found in Washington. The Washington State FOSSIL is the ColumbianWooly Mammoth. Sometimes it is called the Jeffersonian Mammoth because one was discovered in the United States when Thomas Jefferson was president. Stonerose Fossil Site offers the opportunity to dig for your own fossil. One of the most unusual fossils found in the Columbia Plateau is a mold and a few bones of a small rhinoceros.

• The Department of Natural Resources and the US Geological Survey provide information about GEOLOGY in the Washington. Glaciers are a geologic feature of Mt. Rainier. At one time Republic had several mines that produced the richest gold and silver ore in the history of the state. Kettle River Mine is the last operating commercial gold mine. About 600 gas and oil wells have been drilled in Washington, but large scale production has never occurred.

• The GLOBAL POSITION of Washington is approximately 122 north degrees latitude (horizontal) by 47 west degrees longitude (pole to pole). The state is located in the northwest corner of the contiguous United States and is 360 miles long and 240 miles wide. The geographic center of Washington is ten miles south of Wenatchee. NOAA provides information about the topography of Washington. Geocaching is a popular game using a global positioning finder, and there are many geocaches in Washington. Cape Flattery is the most northwesterly point in the contiguous 48 sates. Point Roberts is the only place in the country that can only be reached by land by going through another country - Canada.

• Many GHOST TOWNS are located throughout Washington. Avon and Clear Lake have many original buildings. Loomis has some remnants and residents. Hanford has the remains of Hanford High School. Benge has several buildings including a 2 room school house.

• At one time nuclear power was produced at the HANFORD Site in southeastern Washington. The site is now engaged in the world's largest environmental cleanup.

• The HISTORY of Washington dates back thousands of years when the Clovis culture inhabited the Northwest. Recorded history began in the 1500s. Historical Museums are located throughout the state. Washington participates in National History Day.

• The HYDROPLANE is a boat that goes so fast it often skims above the water. Hydroplane races are held in Washington every summer. The Columbia Cup races are held on the Columbia River in the Tri-Cities in eastern Washington. The Gold Cup races are sometimes held on Lake Washington in Seattle in western Washington.

• Washington leads the country in the creation of new high-tech INDUSTRIES, and technology based industries lead the economy of Washington. Forestry is also a major industry in the state. Building and repairing ships is an important industry and the largest shipyard on the Pacific Coast is the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton. Other industries include aircraft, chemicals, and machinery. A number of Trade Shows are held in Seattle.

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  A wide variety of INSECTS are found in Washington. The official Washington State Insect is the common Green Darner Dragonfly. Many species of butterflies can be found in the state. About a thousand species of insects have been found on Rattlesnake Mountain in Eastern Washington. Over 700 species of spiders are found in the state.

• Washington has nearly 200 ISLANDS, and many reefs make up the San Juan archepalego which is the northernmost arc of islands in the contiguous United States. Some of the islands are State Marine Parks. Patos Island is the outermost of the San Juan Islands and part of the marine parks and boat moorage system. Whidbey Island is the longest island in the contiguous United States.

• JAZZ Festivals are held in several places throughout Washington. The state has many music festivals and concerts. There are 4 opera companies in Washington - Rainer Lyric Opera in Bremerton; Caspen Opera Theater and Seattle Opera in Seattle; and Tacoma Opera in Tacoma.

• One of the largest manufacturers of commercial JET airliners is in western Washington. The Everett assembly plant has the largest building in the world. Air Force One, the jet plane used by the President of the United States, is made here. The company also makes the airplane used by the Blue Angels a precision flying team.

Washington has KARST and caves. Pseudo-karst formations are located around the Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams areas in southwestern Washington. Small areas of limestone and dolomite in northeastern Washington have the potential of disolving and forming karst. Gardiner Cave is thought to be the larges limestone cavern in the State. Washington has several types of caves including sea caves and cliff caves. The cliff caves at Lake Lenore illustrate the type of shelter used by prehistoric man. The state has 3 show Caves. Ape Cave near Mt. St. Helens is the longest lava tube in the lower 48 states. The Cascade Grotto is part of the National Speleological Society and provides a framework for studying caves. The National Parks Service has a Cave and Karst Program.
• KENNEWICK MAN is one of the oldest and most complete skeletons found in North America. Radiocarbon-dating of the bones place their age over 9,000 years old. DNA testing is being done at the Burke Museum of Natural and Cultural History in Seattle.

• Many aspects of life in the state of Washington focus on KIDS. There is a Coloring Book for Kids and the State Legislature each have a Kids Page. The Washington Kids Count program provides information about the health and well-being of children in the state. The Washington Apple Commission has a kids page. The Healthy Choices for Kids program has nutrition information.

• Washington has many LAKES and reservoirs. Lake Chelan is the largest lake in the state and has a State Park. It is considered to be one of the deepest lakes in North America. Lake Washington is the 2nd largest lake in the state. LakeRoosevelt has a National Recreation Area.

• Public LIBRARIES are located throughout Washington. Most of them have bookmobiles, internet access, and special programs. The Washington State Library provides information about libraries throughout the state.

• There are many LIGHTHOUSES off the coast of Washington. Admiralty Head Lighthouse is on Whidbey Island. Cape Disappointment Lighthouse is on the Long Beach Peninsula - the longest peninsula in the United States. It is believed to be the oldest structure in the state still used for its original purpose. The most important aspect of a lighthouse is the light that comes from the tower.

• Washington has one of the highest concentrations of military installations in the country. The state has several historic military sites. Comano Island County is home to the only park in Washington to honor Pearl Harbor survivors. Washington has several National Guard Units, and the Army Corps of Engineers has projects in the state.

• The Cascade MOUNTAINS divide eastern and Western Washington. Mount Rainer is the highest point in the state. It is the greatest single-peak glacial system in the country and Paradise Glacier has the largest glacier cave in the world. The state license plates have Mount Rainer in the background. Beacon Rock is the second highest monolith in the world.

• MUSEUMS are located throughout Washington including many Art Museums. The Washington State Arts Commission supports the promotion, growth, development, and preservation of arts within the state. The Children's Museum in Seattle brings children and adults together to learn about the world. The American Hop Museum in Toppenish is the only Hop Museum in the country. Historical Museums are located thoughout the state.

• Washington is NAMED afer George Washington and is the only state named after a president. It is nicknamed "The Evergreen State". The city of Wenatchee in eastern Washington is the largest shipper of apples in the country and is often called the "Apple Bowl of the world". The names of many places in Washington have an interesting origin.

• NATIVE AMERICANS were the first inhabitants of Washington. The state has over a dozen Tribes and Reservations. Many have Casinos. Several tribes have their own license plates including the Colville, Lummi, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Spokane, and Tulalip. The Makah and Quinault Nations also have their own license plates. Many totem poles are located in the state. The totem Pole in Kalama is the tallest single tree totem in the world.

• OBSERVATORIES and planetariums are located in Western Washington and Eastern Washington. Observatories include Jewett Observatory at Washington State University and Goldendale which has the largest public telescope in the country. Planetariums are located at Washington State University in Pullman, Western Washington University in Bellingham, and Whitman College in Walla Walla, the George Stahl Planetarium in Cheney, the Willard Smith Planetarium at the Pacific Science Center, and the Geer Planetarium at Bellevue Community College. The state has many astronomy associations. The Whatcom Association of Celestial Observers participates in Astronomy Day which is held sometime between mid-april and mid-May.

• Washington is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west which is the lowest point in the state. Canada is to the north, Idaho to the east, and Oregon to the south. The Peace Arch Monument is in the northwest corner of Washington directly on the boundary line of the United States and Canada and commemorates lasting peace between the two countries. The USGS provides information about why the ocean is Salty.

• Washington has over 300 PARKS including National PARKS, and Historical Parks and sites and one of the largest and busiest State Park systems in the country. A variety of special parks and gardens are locted throughout Washington. Olympic National Park has the largest wilderness are in the 48 contiguous states. The state also has many Amusement and Theme Parks.

• Washington has a diverse population of nearly 6 million PEOPLE. Many well-known people have called Washington their home including Bing Crosby (singer/actor), Bill Gates (computer software entrepreneur), Jimi Hendrix (guitarist), Bob Barker(tv host), and Carol Channing (actress).

• Washington PORTS operate shipping terminals, and build and operate marinas, docks, and recreational facilities. The Port of Seattle is one of the largest container ports in the country.

• A QUARTER was issued by the U.S. Mint for each state according to its admission date. Washington was admitted to the union on November 11, 1889 and a quarter was issued in its honor in the year 2007. The U.S. Mint has a special Kids Page

• QUILTING is popular in Washington and Quilt Guilds are located thoughout the state. Weaving is also popular. Washington also has Knitting Guilds.

• Take a QUIZ about the state of Washington.

• Washington is home to 25 species of REPTILES and amphibians including Short-horned lizards, the Western Rattlesnake which is poisonous, and the Leatherback Sea Turtle which is the largest sea turtle in the world and an endangered species. The state is also home to 26 species of amphibians including the Coast Giant Salamander and the Tailed Frog. Two species of salamanders live in Washington that are not found anywhere else in the world. A special project in the state is monitoring rattlesnakes.

• The major RIVERS in Washington are the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima. There are 14 dams on the Columbia River.The state has 3 wild and scenic rivers, and the Columbia River Gorge is a National Scenic Area. The Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area is home to several hundred eagles at winter peak. It has an annual Bald Eagle Festival and an Eagle Interpretive Center.

• A wide variety of SEA LIFE is found off the coast of Washinton. The state has 3 resident pods of Orcas and the Orca is the State Marine Mammal. Shellfish are abundant in coastal waters and the Geoduck is the largest clam in North America. Giant octopuses live in the Puget Sound area and are the largest in the world. There are several Marine Education and Interpretive Centers in Washington.

• The Washington State SHIP is the President Washington - one of the largest container ships ever built in the United States. Aberdeen is the homeport of the Lady Washington Tall Ship which is used to teach seamanship & Washington History.

• Washington offers a wide variety of SPORTS and has college, high school, league, and professional sports teams. A new sports stadium opened in Seattle in 2002. Rodeos are held throughout the state. The best known is the Ellensburg Rodeo. The Tacoma Dome is the largest wood-domed structure in the world.

• The Washington State TARTAN has a green background and bands of contrasting colors - blue for lakes, rivers and ocean; white for snow-capped mountains; red for apple and cherry crops; yellow for and wheat and grain crops; and black for eruption of Mt. St. Helens. National Tartan Day is April 6. Tartan Day in Washington is March 27. Highland Games and Scottish Festivals are held throughout the state. Enumclaw has a Highland Games and Clan Gathering.The Whidbey Island Celtic Society promotes interest in Scottish culture and sponsors Highland Games.

• Washington has many forms of TRANSPORTATION. The Washington State Department of Transportation maintains highways, bridges, tunnels,and has an Adopt-a-Highway Program. It also operates the Washington State Ferries and provides rail, bus, and other transit services. The Washington State Ferry System is the largest ferry system in the country. The first Washington License Plate was issued in 1916. Specialzed Plates are available, and Native American Tribes in the state have a license plate. State Highway Marker Shields have a white profile of George Washington on a black square background. The Cascade Tunnel is one of the longest railroad tunnels in the country. There are over 300 Airports in the state. There are also heliports and seaplane bases. To celebrates its 50th birthday, Matchbox cars issued a car for each state in the order in which it was admitted into the union. The car for Washington is an ambulance.

• The State TREE is the Western Hemlock. The biggest known hemlock in the world is on the Olympic Peninsula. Forests cover about half of Washington and have some of the world's finest commercial softwood trees. The state has 6 National Forests including 2 Rainforests - the Hoh and the Olympic. Ocassionally there is a Wildfire. Queets Rain Forest has the largest douglas fir and the largest yellow cedar in the world. Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park is one of the lrges petrified forests in the world. The Washington State Gem is petrified wood.

• Washington has many state UNIVERSITIES and Colleges. It also has Community and Technical Colleges and private colleges.

• Ten ships have been named the USS Washington. First in honor of George Washington and later for the state. The 1st USS Washington was a schooner named Endeavor acquired by General George Washington, renamed Washington, and re-rigged as a brigantine. The 2nd USS Washington was a row galley that operated in Narragansett Bay. The 3rd USS Washington (32) was one of 13 frigates authorized by the Continental Congress. The 4th USS Washington, a lateen-rigged two-masted galley, served in Brigadier General Benedict Arnold's fleet. The 5th USS Washington (1814), a ship of the line, was the 2nd such to be launched by the Navy and was on active service from 1815 to 1820. (Note information states it is the 4th). The 6th USS Washington (1833) was a revenue cutter that initially operated out of Mobile, Alabama, before shifting to Key West, Florida. The 7th USS Washington (1837) was a revenue cutter and was the ship that discovered Amistad after its cargo of slaves seized control of that schooner. The 8th USS Washington (ACR-11) was a Tennessee-class armored cruiser and later renamed Seattle. The 9th USS Washington (BB-47) was a Colorado-class battleship. The 10th USSWashington (BB-56) was a North Carolina-class battleship.

• Washington has 13 VEGETATION zones. The State Flower is the rhododendron. The Washington State Grass is bluebunch wheat grass. The Skagit Valley is one of the largest bulb-growing regions in the world. Washington Park Arboretum is the State Arboretum. The state has several public gardens that grow native plants. The Washington Native Plant Society supports the protection of native plants. The Nature Conservancy helps preserve the land in Washington.

• There are several VOLCANOES in Washington. The eruption of Mt. St. Helens in southwest Washington volcano in 1980 was the greatest natural disaster in the state in recorded history. This volcano is a National Monument and continues to have minor eruptions. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has information about volcanos.

• Abundant rain and rugged terrain produce a variety of WATERFALLS in Washington. Areas that have waterfalls include the North Cascades, the Olympics, Mount Rainier, Gifford Pinchot Country, and the Inland Empire. Curly Creek Falls in Skamania County is one of the few falls in the world that has carved a natural bridge. Spokane Falls is the only waterfall in the country that is within a city. Rainbow Falls and Palouse Falls are State Parks. Snoqualmie Falls is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Washington. The first underground power plant in the world was built here. Pitchfork Falls is the fourth tallest waterfall in the United States. Dry Falls is the remnant of what was once the largest waterfall on earth.

• The Cascade Mountains divide Washington into 2 different WEATHER regions. Western Washington has mild wet winters and cool summers. Eastern Washington is drier, hotter in the summer, and colder in the winter. The state has Winter Storms and Thunder Storms. The western slopes of the Cascade Mountains receives some of the heaviest snowfall in the country. The wettest area of the contiguous United States is the western side of the Olympic Peninsula which is a World Heritage Site. The Governor of Washington provides information about Global Warming in the state. The Washington State Climatologist provides information about the weather in the state.

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  Washington has a great diversity of WILDLIFE and many Wildlife Refuges. Nearly a hundred wildlife viewing sites in the state have been selected for Watchable Wildlife Program. The state has many National Wildlife Refuges/Marine Sanctuaries. The Sarvey Wildlife Center helps wildlife in their natural habitat. Northwest Trek is a wildlife park and has special event and programs throughout the year. Some species of wildlife are endangered including the gray wolf and the grizzly bear. Nature Walks are located throughout the state. Dungeness spit is the longest natural sanspit in the county and the site of a National Wildlife refuge. Washington participates in the Wildlife Protection Program. Washington has many Wilderness Areas. The US Geological has done a Nature Mapping of wildlife in Washington.

• XMAS is the common abbreviation for Christmas and it is celebrated in Washington much like the rest of the country and around the world. Millions of Christmas trees are produced in Washington every year. Most of them are the Douglas Fir which is also the number-one lumber tree in the country. In 2006 a tree from Washington was selected as the nation's official Capitol Christmas Tree. Washington has often provided the White House Christmas tree. The National Christmas Tree Association has Christmas activities for kids.

• Because of its proximity to the International Date Line, Washington was one of the last states to enter Y2Kand the 21st century.

• YMCA organizations are located throughout Washington. The Washington State YMCA Mock Trial Program has mock trial competitions.

• There are several YOUTH HOSTELS in Washington. Some are on islands. The Youth Hostel on Vashon Island has teepees. A Youth Hostel in downtown Seattle offers tours of the city. Washington also has Elder Hostels.

• The use of ZIP CODES began in 1963. Zip codes in Washington all start with the number 9. The postal code for Washington is WA.

• Washington is in the Pacific Time ZONE U.S. Department of Agriculture lists Washington in zones 5-8 for plant hardiness.

• Washington has ZOOS game farms, nature centers, and an aquarium. Woodland Park Zoo has a baby elephant. Several zoological parks are dedicated to the preservation of specific endangered species including the Cougar Mountain Zoological Park.