Capital: Olympia
Largest city: Seattle
State Abbreviation: WA
Statehood: Became the 42nd U.S. state on November 11, 1889
Named after: George Washington (the first U.S. President)
Major Cities in Washington
- Seattle – A tech hub and the largest city
- Spokane – Major city in eastern Washington
- Tacoma – Industrial city near Seattle
- Vancouver – Border city near Portland, Oregon
- Bellevue – Suburban city known for technology
- Everett – Boeing manufacturing site
- Olympia – The state capital
Climate
- Western Washington: Oceanic climate – mild, wet winters and cool summers (Seattle)
- Eastern Washington: Semi-arid or continental – hot summers, cold winters
- The Cascade Mountains split the state and greatly influence the weather.
Top Universities of Washington
University of Washington (Seattle)
Washington State University (Pullman)
Gonzaga University (Spokane)
Seattle University
Western Washington University (Bellingham)
Notable Figures from Washington
Famous Scientists from Washington
1. William F. Rutter
- Field: Biochemistry
- Notable for: Pioneering work in molecular biology and biotechnology.
- Connection to Washington: Grew up in the state and studied at the University of Washington.
- Legacy: Co-founder of Chiron Corporation, an early biotech company that helped develop a hepatitis B vaccine.
2. Hope Jahren
- Field: Geobiology
- Notable for: Research on plants and soil; author of Lab Girl
- Born in: Austin, Minnesota, but earned her Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley and worked for a time in the Pacific Northwest. She was a researcher at the University of Washington.
3. Steven Gilbert
- Field: Toxicology
- Notable for: Work in environmental health and public outreach through the Institute of Neurotoxicology and Neurological Disorders (INND) in Seattle.
4. Edward L. Ginzton
- Field: Electrical Engineering & Physics
- Connection to Washington: Born in Russia, but studied at the University of Washington.
- Contribution: Key figure in microwave and linear accelerator technology; played a major role in advancing radar and particle physics.
Famous Politicians from Washington
1. Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson
- Position: U.S. Senator (1953–1983)
- Known for: Strong defense policy, environmental legislation, and Cold War anti-communism
- Legacy: The “Jackson-Vanik Amendment” on human rights and trade; a respected bipartisan figure.
2. Warren G. Magnuson
- Position: U.S. Senator (1944–1981)
- Known for: Major figure in shaping national healthcare and consumer protection laws
- Legacy: Magnuson Act repealed the Chinese Exclusion Act; led committees on commerce and appropriations.
3. Maria Cantwell
- Position: U.S. Senator (2001–present)
- Party: Democrat
- Known for: Advocating for tech, clean energy, and Native American rights.
- Background: Former executive at RealNetworks, a Seattle-based tech company.
4. Patty Murray
- Position: U.S. Senator (1993–present), President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate (2023–present)
- Party: Democrat
- Known for: Health care, education, and veterans’ affairs advocacy
- Legacy: First female senator from Washington; one of the highest-ranking women in the Senate.
5. Jay Inslee
- Position: Governor of Washington (2013–present)
- Known for: Strong stance on climate change and clean energy
- Former Role: U.S. Congressman
- National Role: Ran for President in 2020 with a climate-focused campaign.
