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Washington State |
About Washington State
Located in the northwestern corner of the Pacific Northwest, Washington
state is home to economic and cultural diversity.
The economic diversity of Washington is seen in the number of different
industries that contribute to the economy. Washington is home to thriving
ports, aerospace plants, technology firms, military bases, family farms,
industrial/manufacturing firms, and fishing industries.
The sheer number of people who choose to make Washington their home demonstrates
Washington’s cultural diversity. From the first Native Americans
who encountered the initial migrations to the newest Washingtonians from
Central America, Russia and Southeast Asia, Washington’s multi-ethnic
population provides a broad base of economic opportunity and a high level
of innovation.
The Cascade and Olympic mountain chains provide natural beauty and endless
recreational activities. Terrain varies from desert to mountain to water,
making Washington a haven for nature lovers and recreation seekers in every
season.
There is a tendency to think of Washington as two separate areas divided
by the Cascade Mountains. The reality is that both areas are equal contributors
to the health and strength of the state.
The eastern side of the Cascade Mountains features distinct seasons.
The east gets more sunshine year round and more snow in the winter than
the western side does. Beautiful panoramas, bluffs, and even a petrified
forest can be found in eastern Washington, along with thriving urban
areas such as Spokane. Washington State University, a major research
and educational facility, is located in eastern Washington.
The western side of the Cascades gets more rain than the East due to
the influence of the mountain chain, and temperatures tend to remain
more constant year round. Western Washington is home to the University
of Washington, the city of Seattle and the San Juan Islands. Although
the West is regarded as somewhat more “urbanized” than the
East, western Washington retains a great deal of biological, cultural,
and economic diversity.
Eastern and western Washington combine to make Washington state one of
the most culturally and environmentally rich areas in the United States.
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Washington
Washington
State Legislature
Washington Governor Gary Locke
Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed
Washington State Senate
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