Washington Map

Description: This map shows boundaries of countries, Pacific ocean, states boundaries, the state capital, counties, county seats, cities, towns, islands, lakes and national parks in State of Washington.

---

Other Maps of Washington

Google Map of Washington State
OpenStreetMap
Bing Maps
USGS National Map
Washington State Highway Map (pdf)

The Facts:

Seal of Washington	Flag of Washington
Capital:	Olympia
Largest city:	Seattle
Area:	71,362 sq mi (184,827 sq km)
Dimensions:	Length 250 mi (400 km) Width 360 mi (580 km)
Latitude:	45°33′ N to 49° N
Longitude:	116°55′ W to 124°46′ W
Population (2025):	8,001,020[1]
Density:	103/sq mi (39.6/sq km)
Elevation:	Highest elevation (Mount Rainier) - 14,400 ft (4,389 m) Lowest elevation (Pacific Ocean) 0 ft (0 m)
Official language:	English (de facto)
Religion (2022):	43% - Unaffiliated 33% - Protestantism 13% - Catholicism 3% - Mormonism 3% - New Age 2% - Buddhism 1% - Jehovah's Witness 1% - Hinduism 1% - Judaism
Racial/ethnic groups (2024):[1]	63% White 15% Hispanic or Latino 11.5% Asian 5.4% Mixed Race/Multi-Racial 4.8% Black or African American 2.1% Native American or Alaska Native 0.9% Pacific Islander
Median household income:	$98,141[1]
USPS abbreviation:	WA
ISO 3166 code:	US-WA
Time zone:	UTC−08:00 (Pacific) Summer (DST) UTC−07:00 (PDT)
Official website:	wa.gov

Washington, officially the State of Washington, is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Located in the northwestern corner of the contiguous United States, it is bordered by the Canadian province of British Columbia to the north, Idaho to the east, Oregon to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The state capital is Olympia, while Seattle is the largest city and primary economic center.

Washington was named after George Washington, the first president of the United States, and is the only U.S. state named after a president. To avoid confusion with the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., the state is often referred to as "Washington State" or simply "the State of Washington."

Geography and Climate

Washington covers approximately 71,362 square miles, making it the 18th largest state by area. The state's geography is notably diverse, divided by the Cascade Range into two distinct regions with dramatically different climates and ecosystems. Western Washington, west of the Cascades, features a mild, oceanic climate with heavy precipitation, particularly during winter months. This region includes the Seattle metropolitan area, the Puget Sound lowlands, and temperate rainforests along the Pacific coast. The Olympic Peninsula receives some of the highest rainfall totals in the continental United States, with certain areas exceeding 200 inches annually.

Eastern Washington lies in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains and experiences a semi-arid to continental climate. This region consists primarily of the Columbia Plateau and includes vast agricultural lands, particularly in the Columbia Basin.

Mount Rainier, an active stratovolcano standing at 14,411 feet, is the highest point in Washington and the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States. Other significant volcanic peaks include Mount St. Helens, which erupted catastrophically in 1980, Mount Baker, and Glacier Peak.

Demographics and Population

As of the 2025, Washington's population was approximately 8,001,020, making it the 13th most populous state. The state has experienced substantial population growth in recent decades, driven largely by migration to the Seattle metropolitan area for employment opportunities in the technology sector. The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan area is home to roughly 4 million people, representing more than half of the state's total population. Other significant urban centers include Spokane, the second-largest city and economic hub of eastern Washington, Vancouver in the southwestern corner, and the Tri-Cities region in southeastern Washington, which includes Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland.

Washington is ethnically diverse, with significant Asian American, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander populations, particularly concentrated in the Puget Sound region. The state is also home to 29 federally recognized Native American tribes.

Economy

Washington possesses a robust and diverse economy with a gross state product exceeding $600 billion. The state is headquarters to several Fortune 500 companies, including Microsoft, Amazon, Costco, and Starbucks. The technology sector dominates the economy, particularly in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area, often called the "Silicon Forest." Boeing, though having moved its corporate headquarters elsewhere, maintains significant manufacturing operations in the state, particularly in Everett, where the world's largest building by volume produces wide-body aircraft.

Agriculture remains economically significant, especially in eastern Washington. The state leads the nation in apple production, producing approximately 65% of all apples grown in the United States. Washington also ranks highly in cherry, pear, and hop production. The wine industry has expanded dramatically since the 1980s, with the Columbia Valley becoming internationally recognized for its viticulture, particularly for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Riesling. The state now ranks second nationally in wine production.

The Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma, operating jointly in some capacities, serve as major gateways for trade with Asia. Aerospace, clean energy technology, biotechnology, and video game development represent growing economic sectors. Tourism contributes significantly, with attractions including three national parks, mountain recreation, and vibrant urban cultural scenes.

Education

Washington's education system includes several prominent institutions of higher learning. The University of Washington in Seattle, founded in 1861, is the state's flagship public research university and consistently ranks among the top public universities nationally, particularly noted for its medical school and programs in computer science, engineering, and business. Washington State University, located in Pullman with campuses across the state, serves as the state's land-grant university. Other significant public institutions include Western Washington University, Central Washington University, and Eastern Washington University.

The state is also home to numerous private colleges and universities, including Seattle University, Gonzaga University in Spokane, and Whitman College. Community and technical colleges throughout the state provide accessible higher education and vocational training, with the state's community college system serving over 300,000 students annually.

Transportation Infrastructure

Washington's transportation network reflects both its geographic challenges and economic priorities. Interstate 5 serves as the primary north-south corridor through western Washington, connecting Seattle with Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, British Columbia. Interstate 90 crosses the state east-west, traversing the Cascade Range through Snoqualmie Pass and connecting Seattle with Spokane. State Route 520 and Interstate 405 provide additional major routes around Lake Washington and through the Eastside suburbs.

The state operates the largest ferry system in the United States, Washington State Ferries, which serves Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and international routes to British Columbia. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport functions as the primary aviation hub for the Pacific Northwest, serving as a major gateway to Asia. Spokane International Airport serves eastern Washington, while smaller regional airports operate throughout the state.

Public transportation in the Puget Sound region includes Sound Transit's Link light rail system, which continues to expand, along with commuter rail and bus services. The Sounder commuter rail connects Seattle with Tacoma and Everett during weekday peak hours.

Natural Resources and Environment

Water resources play a crucial role in Washington's economy and ecology. The Columbia River, the largest river in the Pacific Northwest, forms much of the border between Washington and Oregon. Its extensive dam system, including Grand Coulee Dam, provides hydroelectric power, irrigation for agriculture, and recreational opportunities. The Columbia River system generates more hydroelectric power than any other river system in North America, contributing to Washington having some of the lowest electricity rates in the nation and the cleanest electricity grid in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

Washington's forests cover approximately half of the state's land area, supporting both environmental preservation and timber industry interests. The state manages extensive public lands, including three national parks: Olympic, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades. Additional protected areas include numerous state parks, national forests, and wilderness areas.

History

Prior to European contact, the region was inhabited by numerous Native American peoples for thousands of years, including Coast Salish peoples in the west and Plateau tribes in the east, who developed sophisticated cultures adapted to the region's diverse environments.

European exploration began in the late 18th century, with Spanish, British, and American expeditions mapping the coastline. The Lewis and Clark Expedition reached the mouth of the Columbia River in 1805. The region became jointly occupied by Britain and the United States following the War of 1812, a situation formalized by the Treaty of 1818. Settlement increased dramatically in the 1840s with American pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail. The Oregon Treaty of 1846 established the 49th parallel as the boundary between British and American territory, placing the future Washington entirely within U.S. control.

Washington Territory was formally established in 1853, separated from Oregon Territory. The territory experienced rapid development following the arrival of transcontinental railroads in the 1880s. Washington achieved statehood on November 11, 1889, becoming the 42nd state admitted to the Union. The discovery of gold in Alaska and the Yukon in the 1890s established Seattle as the primary outfitting point for prospectors, accelerating economic growth.

The 20th century brought significant industrialization, particularly during World War II when Boeing expanded dramatically and the Hanford Site in the Tri-Cities region became central to the Manhattan Project, producing plutonium for nuclear weapons. The post-war era saw continued growth in aerospace, the emergence of the technology sector in the 1980s and 1990s, and the rise of Seattle as a major center for international trade with Asia.

---

List of The Largest Cities and Towns in Washington by population (2020)

Washington Coastal Towns

Main sights in Washington

---

Counties of Washington

The state of Washington, consists of 39 counties.

List of counties in Washington

Washington County Map

---

Regions of Washington:

---

List of National Parks in Washington

Islands of Washington

Major Rivers in Washington

Major Lakes of Washington

The 20 highest mountain peaks of Washington

---

---

References

1. ^ Quick Facts Washington. United States Census Bureau