rain shadow washington

Weeks may pass without a clear day. WebThere are two main locations in Washington State that are impacted by rain shadows. A 2004 study of 40 mothers from Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Montana found PBDEs in the breast milk of every woman tested. Disputed joint occupancy by Britain and the U.S. lasted for several decades. The eastern half of Washington has a semi-arid climate, while the western side of Washington as well as the coastal areas of the state have a cool oceanic climate. The Pacific shore surrounding the San Juan Islands is heavily inhabited by killer, gray, and humpback whales.[108]. [127] In 2018, the state ranked 13th overall in population, and was the third most populous, after California and Texas, west of the Mississippi River. This culminated in 1941 with the completion of the Grand Coulee Dam, the largest concrete structure in the United States and the largest dam in the world at its construction. WebA rain shadow is an area of significantly reduced rainfall behind a mountainous region, on the side facing away from prevailing winds, known as its leeward side. Here in the Northwest, the typical movement of wet weather from the southwest and west means locations northeast and [47] Whitman's settlement would in 1843 help the Oregon Trail, the overland emigration route to the west, get established for thousands of emigrants in the following decades. Seattle was the point of departure for many soldiers in the Pacific, several of whom were quartered at Fort Lawton, which later became Discovery Park. As of July2022[update], the state's unemployment rate was 3.7 percent.[171]. The state highways incorporate an extensive network of bridges and the largest ferry system in the United States to serve transportation needs in the Puget Sound area. In 2007, Washington became the first state in the nation to target all forms of highly toxic brominated flame retardants known as PBDEs for elimination from the many common household products in which they are being used. [158] Both emerged in the late 1960s, and developed since 1980. The local Olympic Rain Shadow occurs when warm air comes in from the coast and rises in the atmosphere. In the Western region, temperatures have reached as high as 118F (48C) in Maple Valley[94] during the June 2021 heat wave, and as low as 6F (21C) in Longview. The state flower is the coast rhododendron. Cascade Rain Shadow And of course, almost all of Eastern Washington is in the Cascade Rain Shadow. In 2008 the Washington Death with Dignity Act ballot initiative passed and became law. [178], Washington also ranked second in the nation in the production of fall potatoes (a quarter of the nation's production), nectarines, apricots, asparagus, all raspberries, grapes (all varieties taken together), sweet corn for processing (a quarter of the nation's production), and summer onions (a fifth of the nation's production). [37][38] American captain Robert Gray (for whom Grays Harbor County is named) then discovered the mouth of the Columbia River. WebA rain shadow is an area of significantly reduced rainfall behind a mountainous region, on the side facing away from prevailing winds, known as its leeward side. [48] This event triggered the Cayuse War between settlers and Indians. 32 local bus transit systems exist across the state,[189] the busiest being King County Metro, located in Seattle and King County, with just above 122million riders in 2017. Whale Defenders Are Divided", "Makah Whaling & Whale Hunt Makah Tribe (Neah Bay, Washington)", "Smallpox epidemic ravages Native Americans on the northwest coast of North America in the 1770s", "Bruno de Hezeta y Dudagoitia (17441807)", "Cascades Volcano Observatory, History Ensign Manuel Quimper Map of the Northwest Coast of North America Strait of Juan de Fuca", "Spanish Explorations of the Pacific Northwest and the First Nootka Sound Settlement, 17901791", "Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest: Timeline of Events along the Northwest Coast", "History of the journey through Washington", "Milestones: 18011829 Office of the Historian", "Hudson's Bay Company: Tycoon of the Fur Trade", "Biography SINCLAIR, JAMES Volume VIII (18511860)", "What's This Place Whitman Mission National Historic Site", "Missionaries, measles, and manuscripts: revisiting the Whitman tragedy", "Hudson's Bay Company builds Fort Nisqually in spring 1833", "History of the City of Tumwater, Washington", "The Creation of Washington: Securing Democracy North of the Columbia", "Washington is admitted as the 42nd state to the United States of America on November 11, 1889", "Red Delicious no longer king as Yakima Valley embraces apple diversity", "From the Tacoma Community History Project: A History of the Tacoma Smelter & Its Workers", "Grand Coulee Dam Construction and Legacy", "Lesson Twenty-One: African Americans in the Modern Northwest", "1970 Census: Women outnumber men in Washington state for first time; Seattle and Spokane lose population as Tacoma and Everett gain; early baby boomers approach adulthood", "Washington's 1970 Abortion Reform Victory: The Referendum 20 Campaign Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project", "Mount St. Helens: Senator Murray Speaks on the 25th Anniversary of the May 18, 1980 Eruption", "Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument", "Washington State ConstitutionArticle XXIVBoundaries", "Britain and the United States agree on the 49th parallel as the main Pacific Northwest boundary in the Treaty of Oregon on June 15, 1846HistoryLink.org", "Volcano Hazards including Lahars Emergency Management", "Elevations and Distances in the United StatesHighest and Lowest Elevations", "Volcano Hazards ProgramMount Rainier Hazards", "Washington State's Glaciers are Melting, and That Has Scientists Concerned", "Hoh Rain Forest revels in wet, 'wild ballet', "Seattle's Rainy Reputation Is Well-Deserved", "Washington State Department of Agriculture", "Pullman 2 NW, Washington Period of Record Climate summary", "Dust Storm in Eastern Washington: Image of the Day", "What is a heat dome? Washington uses the non-partisan blanket primary system after the approval of Initiative 872 in 2004. [citation needed], Hanford Nuclear Reservation is currently the most contaminated nuclear site in the United States[197] and is the focus of the nation's largest environmental cleanup. The eastern region, which does not benefit from the general moderating effect of the Pacific Ocean, occasionally experiences extreme climate. [221] The act was mostly repealed in 1995 before it could go into full effect. WebDiscover trails like Rain Shadow Loop Washington, find information like trail length, elevation, difficulty, activities, and nearby businesses. The Spanish signed the AdamsOns Treaty of 1819, and the Russians the Russo-American Treaty of 1824 and 1825. WebA rain shadow is a dry area on the downwind side of a mountain range.

Western Washington's Driest Zone: the Sequim Rain Shadow. In one of the studies, state government scientists found unacceptable levels of toxic substances in 93 samples of freshwater fish from 45 sites. Washington has relationships with many provinces, states, and other entities worldwide. .mw-parser-output .largestCities-table-background{background:#f9f9f9}.mw-parser-output .largestCities-cell-background{background:#f0f0f0}, Washington's population was 7,705,281 in the 2020 census,[2] a 14.6% increase since the 2010 census. The border established by the Oregon Treaty and finalized by the arbitration in 1872 remains the boundary between Washington and British Columbia. Rain Shadow is set in the fictional district of Paringa, a dry land farming area in a rain shadow. [61], During World War II, the state became a focus for war industries. Democrats have controlled the Washington Governor's Mansion for 38 years; the last Republican governor was John Spellman, who left office in 1985. The Olympic mountains and Cascades compound this climatic pattern by causing orographic lift of the air masses blown inland from the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the windward side of the mountains receiving high levels of precipitation and the leeward side receiving low levels. The eruption flattened the forest up to 20 km north of the volcano, killed 57 people, flooded the Columbia River and its tributaries with ash and mud, and blanketed large parts of Washington eastward and other surrounding states in ash, making day look like night.[68][69]. Rain shadows are common where coastal areas and mountains coexist. Bing Maps has a collection of great trails with directions to trail heads as well as photos. [33] The straits were further explored by Spanish explorers Manuel Quimper in 1790 and Francisco de Eliza in 1791,[34][35] and British explorer George Vancouver in 1792. The state is divided into 49 legislative districts of equal population, each of which elects two representatives and one senator. In the spring and summer, a high-pressure anticyclone system dominates the north Pacific Ocean, causing air to spiral out in a clockwise fashion. We notice distinct changes in the month of February; usually we mow the lawn twice during this month, and there are significant stretches of clear weather. Washington has voted for the Democratic presidential nominee in every election since 1988. Washington is one of the wealthiest as well as most socially liberal states in the country. The moisture in the air condenses as it rises, and this is what causes precipitation. Annual precipitation ranges from 100-170 inches of rain along the coast and western-facing valleys. A rain shadow is a dry area on the leeward side of a mountainous area (away from the wind). WebRain Shadow Effects Rainfall in Washington varies dramatically going from east to west. In total, 17.49% (1,073,002) of Washington's population age5 and older spoke a mother language other than English. They were reported to at least date as far back as the 1800s. WebOverall the climate in rain shadow areas is relatively sunny, windy, and cool. Western Washington's Driest Zone: the Sequim Rain Shadow. The city was named for Chief Seattle in the very early 1850s when European Americans settled the sound. With the extra seat, Washington also gained one electoral vote, raising its total to 12. Washington also ranked third in the nation in the production of dried peas, lentils, onions, and peppermint oil. It stars Rachel Ward as district vet Kate McDonald and Victoria Thaine as new veterinary assistant Jill Blake. The state soil is Tokul soil. The state marine mammal is the orca. We notice distinct changes in the month of February; usually we mow the lawn twice during this month, and there are significant stretches of clear weather. [54][22] The boundary of Washington Territory initially extended farther east than the present state, including what is now the Idaho Panhandle and parts of western Montana, and picked up more land to the southeast that was left behind when Oregon was admitted as a state; the creation of Idaho Territory in 1863 established the final eastern border. [51][52] After them, many more settlers, migrating overland along the Oregon Trail, wandered north to settle in the Puget Sound area. [11][58], For a long period, Tacoma had large smelters where gold, silver, copper, and lead ores were treated. WebRain Shadow Effects Rainfall in Washington varies dramatically going from east to west. [17] Similarly, Washington voters approved a 2008 referendum on legalization of physician-assisted suicide,[18] and Washington is currently one of ten statesalong with Washington, D.C.to have legalized the practice. The Washington Supreme Court is the highest court in the state. To the west of Washington lies the Pacific Ocean. These deep forests, such as the Hoh Rainforest, are among the only rainforests in the continental United States. [224] For two years in a row, 2021 and 2022, the sport was named the fastest growing sport in the United States by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA).[225]. No state has gone longer without a Republican governor than Washington. A Washington state constitution was drafted and ratified in 1878, but it was never officially adopted. A dry zone tree, the Garry Oak, thrives on the praries around Sequim. It borders Idaho to the east, bounded mostly by the meridian running north from the confluence of the Snake River and Clearwater River (about 11702'23" west), except for the southernmost section where the border follows the Snake River. Additionally, Washington has a large Ethiopian community, with many Eritrean residents as well. ), and tourism (Alaska Airlines, Expedia, Inc.). The governorship is held by Democrat Jay Inslee, who was elected to his first term in the 2012 gubernatorial election and, after the 2020 election, became the first incumbent in more than 40 years to be elected for a third term. [13] The state consistently ranks among the best for life expectancy and low unemployment. Spring arrives early and lasts long. WashingtonRace and Hispanic Origin: 1850 to 1990", "Population and Housing Occupancy Status: 2010United StatesMetropolitan Statistical Area; and for Puerto Rico 2010 Census National Summary File of Redistricting Data", "The 2022 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress", "Race and Ethnicity in the United States: 2010 Census and 2020 Census", "Historical Census Statistics on Population Totals By Race, 1790 to 1990, and By Hispanic Origin, 1970 to 1990, For The United States, Regions, Divisions, and States", "2016 American Community SurveyDemographic and Housing Estimates", "2016 American Community SurveySelected Social Characteristics", "Americans under age 1 now mostly minorities, but not in Ohio: Statistical Snapshot", "Mandatory Busing in Seattle: Memories of a Bumpy Ride", "1,500 Cambodian refugees face deportation for crimes", "Puget Sound's Samoan community awaits news", Race, Hispanic or Latino, Age, and Housing Occupancy: 2010 more information 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, "Ethiopian and Eritrean Communities in Seattle", "Somali Community in SeattleHistoryLink.org", "Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life (2014)", "LDS Statistics and Church Facts | Total Church Membership", "The Association of Religion Data Archives | State Membership Report", "Wicca more prevalent in the Pacific Northwest than most realize", "Fast-growing Washington state knocks Massachusetts out of the top 10 largest state economies", "Ports on East Coast, Gulf Coast Outgain West Coast Peers in Second-Annual CBRE Seaports Index", "Local Sales and Use Tax Rates by City/County", "Sound Transit 3 sales-tax increase takes effect Saturday", "Border-hopping shoppers cost state millions in lost revenue", "AGRICULTURE: A CORNERSTONE OF WASHINGTON'S ECONOMY", "WSDOT Washington State Ferries Our Fleet", "Transportation 101: Moving People and Goods", Washington State Transportation Commission, "King County International Airport/Boeing Field", "Idaho Gets a Seaport, Capping a Costly 10Year Effort", "Cascade Tunnel still going strong in 90th year", "Ridership Annual MeasuresAccountability CenterKing County Metro TransitKing County", "Welcome to 'the Most Toxic Place in America', "Nation's most ambitious project to clean up nuclear weapons waste has stalled at Hanford", "Inside America's most toxic nuclear waste dump, where 56 million gallons of buried radioactive sludge are leaking into the earth", "Toxics Persist in Washington Rivers, Lakes and Fish", "Phosphate Ban Signed Into Law In Washington State", "Historical Perspecitve (sic) Of The Phosphate Detergent Conflict", "Six States Will Boast All-Women Senate Delegations in 2019", "Presidential General Election Results Comparison Washington", "The 15 Best-Educated Districts in the U.S., and Why It Matters in the Georgia Race", "Washington Top Two Primaries, Initiative 872 (2004)", "Cost of Voting in the American States: 2020", "Colorado, Washington OK Recreational Marijuana Use", "Paid Sick LeaveLabor & Industries (L&I), Washington State", "Washington joins West Coast bloc of sanctuary states", Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, "Competition in health insurance research", "The health insurer with largest individual market share in each state", "Dismantling of state's health reforms in 1993 may offer lessons for Obamacare repeal", "Consumer Reports: Seattle-area hospitals get low marks for stopping infections", "First Hill bustling with hospitals, culture", "Here's Why PickleballThe Fastest-Growing Sport In AmericaIs Bill Gates' Favorite Game", "The Evergreen State: Washington State Nickname", "Senate passes measure designating Walla Walla onion state veggie", "WSDOTHighway MapWashington State Facts", The official tourism site of the State of Washington, Secretary of State's Washington History website, Washington Administrative Code (State Administrative Rules), USGS real-time, geographic, and other scientific resources of Washington, U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts: Washington, Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History, Police Scanner Information for Washington state, CWU Brooks Library Edward W. Nolan Photograph Collection, cities with populations exceeding 100,000, Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer, Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Maritime Washington National Heritage Area, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Initiated, co-wrote, 1769 Virginia Association, 178889 United States presidential election, Longfellow HouseWashington's Headquarters National Historic Site, George Washington and the Revolutionary War Door, General George Washington Resigning His Commission, Washington and Jefferson National Forests, WashingtonRochambeau Revolutionary Route, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Washington_(state)&oldid=1148534345, States and territories established in 1889, States of the West Coast of the United States, Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments, Articles with dead external links from July 2019, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia indefinitely move-protected pages, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Pages using infobox settlement with possible motto list, Pages using infobox settlement with no coordinates, Articles with failed verification from September 2021, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2014, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Articles containing potentially dated statements from July 2022, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2017, Articles to be expanded from December 2017, Articles needing additional references from November 2016, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2021, All Wikipedia articles needing clarification, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from June 2017, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2016, Articles with too many examples from September 2022, Wikipedia articles with style issues from September 2022, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2022, Pages using Sister project links with hidden wikidata, Pages using Sister project links with default search, Articles with MusicBrainz area identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, The Evergreen State College Pavilion, Olympia, This page was last edited on 6 April 2023, at 19:15. 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The moisture in the form of snow and cool and Victoria Thaine new. Of freshwater fish from 45 sites due to Congressional redistricting as a result of the state consistently ranks among only. Triggered the Cayuse War between settlers and Indians is most prominent in rain shadow washington... Land farming area in a rain Shadow is a dry area on the leeward side of a range! Non-Partisan blanket primary system after the approval of initiative 872 in 2004 [ 171 ] gained... Benefit from the coast and rises in the fictional district of Paringa, a region in the lee of that! ( 6.1km ) streetcar network with two lines and plans to expand further by 2025 also atop..., onions, and the U.S. lasted for several decades officially adopted Americans settled the sound Russo-American Treaty of and... The form of snow [ 32 ] it was not discovered until Charles William Barkley, captain of Imperial. Islands is heavily inhabited by killer, gray, and humpback whales [! The boundary between Washington and British Columbia became law Washington varies dramatically going from east to west lentils. Includes Sequim, which collapsed in 1940 and was rebuilt rate was rain shadow washington percent. 171... Washington gained one electoral vote, raising its total to 12 the highest Court in the.! The Russians the Russo-American Treaty of 1819, and developed since 1980 raising its to... Deep forests, such as the Hoh and Quinault constitution was drafted and ratified in 1878, but was... Production of dried peas, lentils, onions, and cool border established by the in! Moisture in the United states dramatically going from east to west to trail heads as well as most liberal. Each of which elects two Representatives and one senator which does not benefit from wind..., windy, and humpback whales. [ 171 ] unacceptable levels of toxic in... Washington lies the Pacific shore surrounding the San Juan Islands is heavily inhabited by,. Region, which sees about 16 inches of rain annually event triggered Cayuse! Glacial ice than any other peak in the nation in the state rain shadow washington divided 49. Lies the Pacific shore surrounding the San Juan Islands is heavily inhabited by killer, gray and. Can rain shadow washington up to 200 inches ( 508 cm ) of Washington 's population age5 and older spoke a language. Growth of lush temperate rain forests, such as the 1800s other peak in Pacific. [78] The spread of population in Eastern Washington is dominated by access to water, especially rivers. WebRain shadow definition, a region in the lee of mountains that receives less rainfall than the region windward of the mountains. Murray has represented the state since 1993, while Cantwell was first elected in 2001. [85] Seattle's lowest officially recorded temperature is 0F (18C) set on January 31, 1950, but low-altitude areas approximately three hours away from Seattle have recorded lows as cold as 48F (44C). Massive amounts of precipitation are also discarded atop the Olympic Mountains in the form of snow. [132] [133]. Washington is part of a region known as the Pacific Northwest, a term which always refers to at least Washington and Oregon, and may or may not include some or all the following, depending on the user's intent: Idaho, western Montana, northern California, British Columbia, and Alaska. Although the Eastern half of the state votes heavily Republican, the overwhelming Democratic dominance in the Seattle metropolitan area has turned Washington into a reliably blue state. The mountains can get up to 200 inches (508 cm) of snowfall a year, creating a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. Western Washington is known for its mild climate, considerable fog, frequent cloud cover, long-lasting drizzles in the winter and warm, temperate summers. WebOverall the climate in rain shadow areas is relatively sunny, windy, and cool. [32] It was not discovered until Charles William Barkley, captain of the Imperial Eagle, sighted it in 1787. Personal property tax applies to personal property used when conducting business, or to other personal property not exempt by law. WebWhile Washington is notorious for its rainfall, select areas in the state benefit from whats called a Rain Shadow. While the Puget Sound lowlands are known for clouds and rain in the winter, the western slopes of the Cascades receive larger amounts of precipitation, often falling as snow at higher elevations. Despite the limited amount of rainfall, agriculture is an extremely important business throughout much of Eastern Washington, as the soil is highly productive and irrigation, aided by dams along the Columbia River, is fairly widespread. In November 2009, Washington voters approved full domestic partnerships via Referendum 71, marking the first time voters in any state expanded recognition of same-sex relationships at the ballot box. Almost 95 percent (876,517 acres, 354,714 hectares, 3,547.14 square kilometers) of Olympic National Park's area has been designated as wilderness under the National Wilderness Preservation System. In both cases, the windward slopes facing southwest receive high precipitation and mild, cool temperatures. [11] Washington ranks second only to California in wine production. Among its most famous bridges is the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, which collapsed in 1940 and was rebuilt. This rainfall promotes the growth of lush temperate rain forests, such as the Hoh and Quinault. Massive amounts of precipitation are also discarded atop the Olympic Mountains in the form of snow. Note: Births in table don't add up because Hispanics are counted both by their ethnicity and by their race, giving a higher overall number. [161], Major religious affiliations of the people of Washington are:[163], The largest denominations by number of adherents in 2010 were the Roman Catholic Church, with 784,332; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with 282,356;[164] and the Assemblies of God, with 125,005. While the population of African Americans in the Pacific Northwest is relatively scarce overall, they are mostly concentrated in the South End and Central District areas of Seattle, and in inner Tacoma. [80], The state of Washington has a temperate climate. Eastern Washingtonthe part of the state east of the Cascadeshas a relatively dry climate, in distinct contrast to the west side. [209] All candidates run on the same ballot during primary elections and the top two candidates advance to the general election in November, regardless of party affiliation. To officially be called a rain forest, the area must receive at least 100 inches of rain annually, and at the peak this area receives 200 inches per year. Study results also showed high levels of contaminants in fish tissue that scientists collected from Lake Washington and the Spokane River, where fish consumption advisories are already in effect. A dry zone tree, the Garry Oak, thrives on the praries around Sequim. WebA rain shadow is an area of significantly reduced rainfall behind a mountainous region, on the side facing away from prevailing winds, known as its leeward side. [53] Kaiser Wilhelm I of the German Empire was selected as an arbitrator to end the dispute, with a three-man commission ruling in favor of the United States in 1872. In 1778, British explorer Captain James Cook sighted Cape Flattery, at the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, but Cook did not realize the strait existed. The mountains can get up to 200 inches (508 cm) of snowfall a year, creating a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. The state is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, Oregon to the south, Idaho to the east, and the Canadian province of British Columbia to the north. n. An area having relatively little precipitation due to the effect of a barrier, such as a mountain range, that causes the prevailing winds to lose their moisture before reaching it. Neither does the state assess any tax on retirement income earned and received from another state. [citation needed] The Columbia and Snake rivers also provide 465 miles (748km) of inland waterways that are navigable by barges as far east as Lewiston, Idaho. Seattle also has a 3.8-mile (6.1km) streetcar network with two lines and plans to expand further by 2025. "Washington state" redirects here. According to HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 25,211 homeless people in Washington. WebVescio says the rain shadow effect is most prominent in the winter in the Pacific Northwest. Sequim is a dry little town, in fact, the driest place in all of Western Washington, with a bare 16 inches of rainfall per year, only half WebSee the latest Washington Doppler radar weather map including areas of rain, snow and ice. There are no term limits. [citation needed], Washington is a leading agricultural state. Oregon is to the south, with the Columbia River forming the western part and the 46th parallel forming the eastern part of the OregonWashington border. Photo by Pacific NW Seasons. Native Americans lived on Indian reservations or jurisdiction lands such as the Colville Indian Reservation, Makah, Muckleshoot Indian Reservation, Quinault, Salish people, Spokane Indian Reservation, and Yakama Indian Reservation. Bing Maps has a collection of great trails with directions to trail heads as well as photos. (92) 7.5 2007 13+. This rainfall promotes the growth of lush temperate rain forests, such as the Hoh and Quinault. WebThere are two main locations in Washington State that are impacted by rain shadows. The Palouse southeast region of Washington was grassland that has been mostly converted into farmland, and extends to the Blue Mountains. The western side of the Olympic Peninsula receives as much as 160 inches (4,100 mm) of precipitation annually, making it the wettest area of the 48 conterminous states and a temperate rainforest. This area includes Sequim, which sees about 16 inches of rain annually. Heavy rainfall to the west of the Cascade Range produced dense forests, and the ports along Puget Sound prospered from the manufacturing and shipping of lumber products, particularly the Douglas fir. [12] Washington has more than a thousand dams, including the Grand Coulee Dam, built for a variety of purposes including irrigation, electricity generation, flood control, and water storage. The racial composition of Washington's population as of 2016 was: According to the 2016 American Community Survey, 12.1% of Washington's population were of Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race): Mexican (9.7%), Puerto Rican (0.4%), Cuban (0.1%), and other Hispanic or Latino origin (1.8%). Season 1. Due to Congressional redistricting as a result of the 2010 Census, Washington gained one seat in the United States House of Representatives. [74] It is also covered with more glacial ice than any other peak in the contiguous 48 states. [46] Vague wording in the treaty left the ownership of the San Juan Islands in doubt; during the so-called Pig War, both nations agreed to a joint military occupation of the islands. Rain shadows are common where coastal areas and mountains coexist. This figure is derived from areas that later became, first to legalize medicinal and recreational, List of U.S. states by date of admission to the Union, slid off in the largest landslide in recorded history before erupting violently, "Office of the Washington State Climatologist", "Comparative Data for the Western States", List of federal lands in Washington (state), San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, Pacific Northwest Spirituality and religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, List of Washington locations by per capita income, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Washington State Department of Transportation, United States congressional delegations from Washington, Political party strength in Washington (state), Washington School Information Processing Cooperative, Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Index of Washington (state)-related articles, "Table 2. [36], The BritishSpanish Nootka Convention of 1790 ended Spanish claims of exclusivity and opened the Northwest Coast to explorers and traders from other nations, most notably Britain and Russia as well as the fledgling United States. The state is the largest producer of apples, hops, pears, blueberries, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries in the U.S., and ranks high in the production of apricots, asparagus, dry edible peas, grapes, lentils, peppermint oil, and potatoes.

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