25+ Facts About Washington State That You Should Know

Did you know that Washington was named after the first US president, George Washington? Crazy, right? Located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, Washington is home to a wide range of geological features and high-tech industries. What made Washington popular in the world is its beautiful mountain range, cultural traits, volcanoes, and coastlines. One of the interesting facts about Washington is that the world-renowned coffee company Starbucks was founded in Seattle in 1971. Not just this, there are many interesting facts about Washington we bet you are not aware of. In this blog, we will cover some of the fascinating Washington fun facts that will keep you entertained. Let’s dive straight into this. 

25+ Wonderful Facts About Washington 

Washington got its nickname “The Evergreen State” because coniferous trees cover half the state. The state has made its mark in the USA with its outstanding destinations and strong tech and industrial foundation. It is divided into 39 counties and further subdivided into cities and towns. The state offers a unique blend of charm & curiosity that keeps many hooked to this corner of the Pacific. Let’s take a deeper look at the “State of Love and Trust” to learn some 25+ amazing facts about Washington. 

1. Apple Abundance

The first interesting fact about Washington is that the state produces more apples than any other state in the nation. That means you can eat apples all year long. 

2. Washington State, Named After a President

Do you know that Washington is the only state named after a US President? Yes, though quite a few cities are named, but not all states. This state has been named after US President George Washington in 1853. 

3. Washington's Official State Insect

What if we tell you that the State has its own insect, just like a state animal? Yes, one of the interesting facts about Washington is that the official state insect is the Green Darner dragonfly. 

4. Whales with Names? Washington's Southern Residents

Another one of the amazing Washington fun facts is about the Whales. The waters of the Salish Sea, which also includes Puget Sound, are home to a great population of Orca Whales. The three orca whale families, namely J, K, and L pods, frequently visit these waters every year. The interesting part is that they have their own name; they are collectively called Southern Residents.

5. Never Fear the Blackout

What if we tell you that you never have to worry about the electricity outbreak in Washington? The state is home to the largest hydropower producer in the United States, The Grand Coulee Dam. The production of the power supply can supply 2 million households with electricity for one year.

6. Taking a Square

The official state dance of Washington is the square dance, which was introduced by the pioneers who first ventured west. The French dance of quadrille translates to “square” in French. It was in 1979 that it became the official state dance. 

7. Wine Wonderland

Are you a connoisseur of Wine? Then, taste a wide range of wines in the state, which is home to more than 1000 wineries. The state has multiple vineyards and tasting rooms where you can taste the finest wine.

8. A Hub of Higher Learning

Another interesting, fun fact about Washington is that it is home to some of the most well-known universities and colleges. It is home to more than 300 private colleges & career schools, which allows applicants from across the world. Know the ins and outs of why study in the USA for a better future. 

9. Washington's Indigenous Communities

Washington is not just a state of modern development and technology; this fun fact about Washington will definitely shock you. The state is home to 29 federally recognized Native tribes. Some of these include Chehalis, Colville, Cowlitz, Hoh, and many more.  

10. Washington's Statehood Journey

After serving as a territory for 36 years, Washington got the status of state on 11 November 1889. The state had to wait a lot to gain its star on the American flag, which was longer than any of the 41 states. Isn’t this an interesting fact about Washington? 

11. A Mountain Loses Its Peak in a Day!

Imagine a mountain losing its prestigious title, plummeting from the fifth tallest peak in Washington to the 35th, all within a nine-hour! Mount St. Helens erupted on 18 May 1980 and lost its title is definitely one of the interesting facts about Washington.

12. A National Park Paradise

One of the facts about Washington is that it is home to three national parks: Olympic National Park, North Cascades National Park, and Mount Rainier National Park. These parks are majorly focused on protecting human history, maintaining a balance between wilderness and ecosystems, and preserving a variety of landscapes.

13. Boeing Takes Flight in Washington

The major producer of commercial jetliners, Boeing airplanes, is made in Washington. Well, there is a high chance that you have flown in one. Isn’t this one of the crazy facts about the state of Washington? 

14. Birthplace of Amazon

Washington is home to one of the biggest e-commerce giants, Amazon; yes, Amazon.com was started by Jeff Bezos in his garage in Bellevue, Washington. Another interesting fact related to it is that in its earliest days, for purchase, a bell would ring in the office. 

15. Unveiling Starbucks' Birthplace

Starbucks has made its mark in the world with its delicious coffee, but do you know where the first store opened? Starbucks was first opened in Washington for customers to try its coffee, tea, and espresso drinks. This makes it one of the facts about Washington. The logo of this coffee giant is inspired by the mysterious mythical creature called the Siren. 

16. Hanford: Building the Atomic Bomb

Benton County, Washington, is home to the nuclear-producing facility, Hanford Site. Because of its remoteness and inexpensive energy and water, Hanford was selected as the ideal location for nuclear production. It generated plutonium, the major number required for nuclear weapons. The same was used to bomb Nagasaki, Japan. 

17. No Income Tax?

Due to its diverse economy and multiple revenue sources, Washington state doesn’t collect personal state income tax from its citizens. This is one of the interesting facts about Washington that sets it apart from others. 

18. Washington's First Female Governor

Dixy Lee Ray was the first female governor who served from 1977 to 1981 making this one of the facts about Washington. Ray was in charge of the Atomic Energy Commission and later ran the University of Washington. She was a scientist and a professor who later entered the field of politics. 

19. WA's $600 Billion Economy

Washington is known for its strongest economy, standing tall in the 8th position. It is the 8th largest economy in the USA with a GDP of over $600 billion making it one of the amazing facts about Washington. 

20. Washington's Star Power

Washington is home to some well-known people such as Stars like Kurt Cobain, Apollo Ohno, Dove Cameron, Hilary Swank, Jimi Hendrix, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Rainn Wilson, Macklemore, and more. All your favorite celebrities and stars are from this state of talent, which makes it one of the facts about Washington. 

21. Where Twilight Comes Alive

The world-famous Stephanie Meyer book series Twilight was set in the rainy town of Forks, Twilight. The book made the town so famous that tourism peaked here, and the town received a large number of tourists. 

22. A Sports Fan's Paradise

One of the best facts about Washington state is that it is home to several major professional sports teams. The list includes the Seattle Seahawks (NFL), which plays American football; the Seattle Mariners (MLB), which plays baseball; the Kraken (NHL) professional ice hockey team; and the Seattle Sounders (MLS) plays professional soccer. Wouldn’t it be great to spot your favorite sports player here? If you are a sports enthusiast, then learn about the 10 most popular sports in the USA. 

23. Washington's Coastline 

Another interesting Washington fun fact is the 3000 miles of coastline that stretch from the Pacific Ocean hugging the west coast, the Strait of Juan de Fuca chillin' up north, and Puget Sound hangin' out inside the state. This stretch is 700 miles and is along the Pacific Ocean. 

24. The Most Glaciated State

The state is home to more than 3000 glaciers, Mount Rainier alone has 25 major glaciers.  

25. Washington's Deepest Lake

Lake Chelan is the deepest lake in the state and the third deepest in the USA, making it one of the interesting facts about Washington. The lake’s lowest point is 118 meters below sea level. 

26. Washington's UFO Sightings

In 1947, Frank Ryman captured a flying saucer from his front yard, making it the first published photograph of a UFO, which was taken in Seattle, Washington. Many such UFO sightings are captured in the state making it one of the interesting facts about Washington. 

Well, this was our list of facts about the state of Washington. We hope you enjoyed reading this as much as we enjoyed writing it. We will keep on updating our list of facts about Washington as we learn, don’t forget to revisit this post to find new additions soon. Meanwhile, if you are a student and planning to study in the USA then learn about USA visa requirements in detail.