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 of Washington State: Olympia
Date of Statehood: November 11, 1889
Washington State Population: 6,287,759 (US Census 2005 estimate)
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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.
Washington State Nickname: The Evergreen State
Washington State Motto: Al-Ki (Indian word meaning By and By)
Washington State Flower:
Coast Rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum)(Legislation of 1892)
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Washington State Tree: Western Hemlock (Legislation of 1947)
Washington State Bird:
American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)(Legislation of 1951)
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Washington State Fish: Steelhead Trout (Legislation of 1969)
Washington State Insect: Green Darner Dragonfly (Legislation of 1997)
Washington State Gemstone: Petrified Wood (Legislation of 1975)
Official State Seal:
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Official State Flag:
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State Commemorative Quarter:
From the 1999-2008 United States Mint 50 State Quarters® Program
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Washington State Postage Stamp:
From the 2002 United States Postal Service Greetings from America series.
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Washington State License Plate:
Photo under license from collector Jim Moini ©2011.
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