Washington State History Facts

Washington State History

Counties

Washington State is divided into 39 counties. The largest of these counties, in terms of population, is King County, which is home to Seattle, the state's largest city. Other notable counties include Pierce County, which includes Tacoma, the second-largest city in the state, and Spokane County, which is located in the eastern part of the state.

Cities

The capital city of Washington is Olympia, located at the southern end of Puget Sound in the western part of the state. The most populous city in Washington is Seattle, with a population of over 7.8 million in 2023. Other major cities include Tacoma, Everett, and Spokane.

State Fruit

Washington State is known for its fruit production, particularly cherries, apples, pears, and red raspberries. Washington produces more sweet cherries than any other state in the United States, and is also the birthplace of Rainier cherries, a pink-and-gold variety that is renowned for its sweetness.

Government

Washington State was admitted to the Union on November 11, 1889. The state's government is divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The executive branch is headed by the governor, who is currently Jay Inslee, a Democrat. The legislative branch consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives, with two senators representing the state in the United States Senate: Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, both Democrats.