State Profile: Washington

Welcome to Washington, the most northwestern state of the contiguous United States. Bordering on the 49th parallel of Canada to the north and Oregon to the south, Washington is a coastal state with major Pacific Rim seaports. The remainder of the state consists of deep rain forests in the west, and mountain ranges in the center, northeast, and far southeast.  

The forests of the Olympic Peninsula are among the rainiest places in the world and one of a few temperate rainforests in the world. Washingtonians take advantage of all the rain they receive. The state is the leading hydroelectric power producer in the US, which is, in fact, the main power source for the state. The largest U.S. hydropower plant is the 6,800-megawatt Grand Coulee power station on the Columbia River in Washington State. Completed in 1942, the Grand Coulee today is one of the world’s largest hydropower plants.

Ports in Washington are conducive to the state’s significant trade with Asia, the majority of which passes through the ports of Puget Sound. Traffic on the coastal port of Puget Sound is heavy; many large commercial vessels using the Ports of Everett, Seattle, Tacoma and others, enter and depart Puget Sound each day. Additionally, many recreational and commercial small craft operate throughout the Puget Sound and adjacent waters. Fishing off the coast is a real draw to serious anglers.

Washington’s population is just over 6.5 million people, some of whom earn their living as loggers, farmers, ranchers, fishermen and high-tech visionaries. Washingtonians are proud of their Native American artists such as, Keith Lazelle, Pete Peterson Sr., and Lance Twitchell, just to name a few.

Last year, Washington’s gross state product was $311.5 billion, placing it 14th nationally. Top Washington manufacturing industries include lumber, aircraft, shipbuilding, metal products and machinery. Washington boasts many ultra-successful industries within the state including the design and manufacturing of Boeing aircraft, biotechnology, aluminum production, lumber and wood. Washington is also the unofficial headquarters of computer software development for the United States and is home to the world’s top companies such as: Microsoft, Amazon.com and Nintendo. The world’s largest coffeehouse company in the world, Starbucks, is also based in Washington. The company’s very first shop opened near famed Pike Place Market, in Seattle. The Market opened August 17, 1907, and is one of the oldest continually operated public farmers’ markets in the United States. It is a destination for many small farmers, craftspeople and merchants. The market is one of Seattle’s most popular tourist destinations.

Washington State offers a wealth of historical and architectural attractions, including the modernism of the Space Needle, the magnificent post-modern, Frank Gehry-designed meltdown of Experience Music Project dedicated to the exploration of innovation in popular music, and the maritime Victorian splendor of Port Townsend. A trip around the state will have you seeing locals enjoying all the outdoors has to offer. Washington also has NBA and NFL professional teams that enjoy very loyal fans in the state. Wherever you travel, you’ll find Washington’s rich past and thriving future standing tall in railway stations, homes, stadiums and galleries.

We are pleased to profile some of the companies and associations that contribute to the success and promotion of Washington State in the second issue of The American Business Journal. Each of the business leaders we have interviewed all have an evident affection for their state which comes through in their articles.

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