Washington State
Information
Washington State Symbols, Facts & Info
The United States of America accepted Washington as the 42nd state to enter the union. Below, you will find the official state symbols and interesting facts about Washington.
State Name:
Washington
Abbreviation:
WA
Capital:
Olympia
Date of Statehood:
November 11, 1889
Population:
6,287,759 (US Census 2005 estimate)
Primary Agriculture:
Washington state is a leading lumber producer. The types of lumber include stands of Douglas fir, hemlock, ponderosa and white pine, spruce, larch, and cedar. The state currently ranks first in the nation for apples, pears, edible dry peas, red raspberries, hops, lentils, spearmint oil and sweet cherries. Washington also ranks high in the production of grapes, apricots, asparagus, 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 economy of the state.
Primary Industry:
The top Washington manufaturing industries include lumber, aircraft/missiles, food processing, shipbuilding, transportation equipment, metals/metal products, chemicals and machinery.
Nickname:
The Evergreen State
Motto:
Al-Ki (Indian word meaning By and By)
Flower:
Coast Rhododendron (Legislation of 1892)
Tree:
Western Hemlock (Legislation of 1947)
Bird:
American Goldfinch (Legislation of 1951)
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Fish:
Steelhead Trout (Legislation of 1969)
Insect:
Green Darner Dragonfly (Legislation of 1997)
Gemstone:
Petrified Wood (Legislation of 1975)
Official State Seal:
Enlarge Seal
Official State Flag:
Enlarge Flag
State Commemorative Quarter:
From the 1999-2008 United States Mint 50 State Quarters® Program
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State Postage Stamp:
From the 2002 United States Postal Service Greetings from America series.
Enlarge Postage Stamp