Washington
The Evergreen State
Quick Stats
Map
Seal & Motto
"Al-ki (By and By)"
A Chinook Jargon word meaning "by and by" — the hopeful motto of early Pacific Northwest settlers. Adopted 1889.
Flag Meaning
Washington’s dark green flag is the only U.S. state flag bearing a president’s portrait — and the only one with a green background, reflecting the state’s evergreen forests.
- Dark Green Field — represents Washington’s lush evergreen forests, earning the “Evergreen State” nickname.
- State Seal — depicts George Washington, the only U.S. president to have a state named in his honor.
- Gold Ring & Year 1889 — ornate border names “The Seal of the State of Washington” and marks the year of statehood.
State Symbols
Overview
Washington, the 'Evergreen State,' is where the Pacific Northwest's majestic wilderness meets a global technology revolution. Seattle has simultaneously produced Boeing jets, Jimi Hendrix's electric guitar, the grunge movement, Starbucks coffee culture, and the world's largest companies in Amazon and Microsoft — while volcanic Mount Rainier looms over it all, a permanent reminder of the natural forces that shaped this extraordinary corner of the continent.
Geographically, it is uniquely isolated and does not share land borders with any other U.S. state.
Historical Significance
Washington officially joined the Union on November 11, 1889, as the 42nd state — Veterans Day, fittingly. Named in honor of George Washington, it was separated from Oregon Territory in 1853 after settlers demanded their own government. Its history traces through the Lewis and Clark Expedition's passage in 1805, the dramatic 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, and the rise of Seattle as one of the world's greatest innovation cities.
Famous Natives
Top Cities & Hubs
Seattle
Population: ~740,000The crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest, a global innovation capital where Amazon's glass biospheres rise next to Jimi Hendrix's hometown blues clubs, the world's first Starbucks serves Pike Place's fish throwers, and Boeing builds the aircraft that carry the world.
Spokane
Population: ~230,000The proud "Capital of the Inland Northwest," an underrated gem on the Spokane River known for its stunning downtown falls, Riverfront Park built for Expo '74, a thriving healthcare economy, and claiming the birthplace of Father's Day.
Tacoma
Population: ~220,000The "City of Destiny," a major deep-water port on Puget Sound anchored by Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Museum of Glass (a world leader in the art glass movement), and the stunning Mount Rainier backdrop.
Vancouver
Population: ~195,000Washington's southernmost major city, sitting directly across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon — a historic community with deep Hudson's Bay Company roots and a booming suburban economy driven by its proximity to the Portland metro.
Bellevue
Population: ~150,000The gleaming tech hub of the Eastside, home to Google, Meta, and T-Mobile campuses and the fastest-growing skyline in the Pacific Northwest, offering Seattle's urban energy from the eastern shore of Lake Washington.
How Washington Ranks
Compared to all 50 states — bar shows relative standing (#1 = full bar)
Additional Information
98001 (Auburn) → 99403 (Clarkston)
~698 ZIP codes statewide
Key Landmarks & Economy
Did You Know?
- Washington is the only U.S. state named after a president, and it leads the nation in production of apples, sweet cherries, pears, red raspberries, spearmint oil, and hops for craft brewing.
- The Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River is one of the largest hydroelectric dams in the world and was for many years the largest concrete structure ever built, generating enough power to light 4 million homes.
- Seattle is the birthplace of Boeing (1916), Starbucks (1971), Amazon (1994), and Microsoft (Redmond, 1975) — four companies that literally transformed how the modern world flies, drinks coffee, shops, and uses software.
Demographics
Population Growth
Avg. Monthly Temperature
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🧠 Washington Trivia
5 questions — how well do you know the Evergreen State?
What is Washington's official state nickname?
In what year did Washington become the 42nd state?
What is the capital of Washington?
Washington produces approximately what share of all U.S. apples?
Which of these famous companies was NOT founded in Washington state?