Washington

Washington is located in the District of Columbia. It is the capital city of the United States and is bordered by the state of Maryland. Though the largest city in Washington is Seattle, but Olympia has the distinction of being the state capital. According to the survey conducted in 2000, the population of the state is about 5.9 million. The political hub of America, abode to The White House, Congress and The Pentagon is certainly served by Washington, DC. These authoritative decision making infrastructures and the history linked to them is the key factor that attracts more than 20 million tourists every year. The city spreads over approximately 69 sq miles (111 sq km) and work force numbers about 3.1 million. Washington also operates as the main center of institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The citizens residing here are addressed as "Washingtonians." Before assuming the status of a state, the territory was known as Columbia after the Columbia River.

After having been permitted to acquire the status of statehood, the name was changed to Washington. Washington is the only state named after a United States president, George Washington who abandoned school at the mere age of 15 to become a surveyor because his mother couldn't manage to pay for his college fees. Even though he helped to graph the nation's new capital city that was to be named after him, he never lived there. New York City and, afterwards, Philadelphia became the nation's capitals while he was president. The battleship USS Washington was originally named for President Washington, but was later renamed in respect of the state. Washington state is renowned for producing more apples than any other state in the union. Medina houses the United States richest man, Microsoft's Bill Gates. The Microsoft Corporation is situated in Redmond. The number of glaciers in Washington state has more than the other 47 neighboring states combined. The largest province in Washington viz. King county named after William R. King. It 1986 it was renamed after civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mount Rainier is the loftiest point in Washington. It was named after a British soldier, Peter Rainier who fought bravely against the Americans in the Revolutionary War. Green Darner Dragonfly is identified as the state’s insect. The state flag and the state seal are exactly the same. A decree passed in 1923 describes the flag as having dark green streamer with a state seal in the center. It is the only state flag that is green in color and the only state flag with a picture of a president. On November 11, 1889, Washington became the 42nd state in the United States. Earlier the economy of the state was ruled by agriculture and lumber. Particularly the Yakima Valley in eastern Washington became known for its apple orchards.

Undoubtedly dry-farming techniques were also proving to be productive. The trade of lumber flourished due to heavy rainfall in the west of the Cascade Range promoted dense forests. Other industries that flourished in the state were fishing, salmon canning, and mining. In the 20th century, the state earned a dangerous reputation particularly Aberdeen, due to the notorious activities like gambling, violence, extreme drug use, and prostitution. During World War II, the Puget Sound region was the main venue for war industries. The Boeing Company produced many of the nation's heavy and bombers for the manufacturing of ships for the war effort. In 1943, with the opening of Hanford Works atomic energy plant construction of the nation's fatal atomic bombs started. During the mid of the 20th century deadly tremors and eruptions flattened the vast area of forests, flooded the Columbia River and its tributaries, and layered the atmosphere of Washington in ash, giving a very dull look to the day. But gradually the state recovered and became one of the leading states of America.