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According to ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG, Washington is a state located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is bordered by Oregon to the south, Idaho to the east, and Canada to the north. The Cascade Mountains run north-south through the middle of the state, dividing it into two distinct regions: Western Washington and Eastern Washington. Western Washington is home to Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, and Olympia. This part of Washington is known for its temperate climate and abundant rainfall. The Olympic Mountains are also located in this region along with several other mountain ranges including Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens.

Eastern Washington has a more arid climate with less rainfall than its western counterpart. Wheat farming is a major industry in this part of the state as well as other agricultural activities such as cattle ranching and fruit orchards. The Columbia River forms much of Washington’s eastern border and provides ample hydroelectric power for Eastern Washington’s many rural towns. Other bodies of water such as Puget Sound, Lake Chelan, and Lake Roosevelt offer recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike. The Cascade Range also offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation with its many ski resorts, hiking trails, camping sites, waterfalls, and lakes. All in all, Washington’s landscape provides something for everyone—from lush forests to snow-capped mountains; from placid lakes to rushing rivers; from bustling cities to rural townships; from sandy beaches to rocky cliffs—Washington truly has it all!

Cities

Washington is a unique state with a variety of major cities to explore. According to COUNTRYAAH.COM, Seattle is the largest city in Washington, situated on the Puget Sound within King County. This bustling city is known for its iconic Space Needle, lively music scene and vibrant tech industry. Tacoma is another major city in Washington, located about 30 miles south of Seattle. It’s home to the Museum of Glass, which features modern glass art from around the world. Spokane is located in Eastern Washington and offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities including skiing and hiking. The city also has an extensive park system that includes Riverfront Park, Manito Park and Riverside State Park. Bellevue is located just east of Seattle and is considered one of the most affluent cities in the state. It’s known for shopping opportunities at The Bellevue Collection as well as its vibrant downtown area with luxury hotels and high-end restaurants. Olympia is the capital city of Washington, situated near Puget Sound on Budd Inlet. This small city features a variety of attractions such as the Hands On Children’s Museum, Tumwater Falls Park and Percival Landing Park Boardwalk. Vancouver lies on the north bank of Columbia River across from Portland Oregon and offers visitors a range of outdoor activities such as kayaking, fishing and hiking along with other attractions like Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Pearson Air Museum.

Rivers

Washington State is home to many rivers. The Columbia River is the largest river in Washington and the fourth-largest river in the United States. It runs for 1,243 miles from Canada to the Pacific Ocean, forming most of the border between Washington and Oregon. The Snake River is another major river in Washington, running for 1,040 miles from its source in Yellowstone National Park to its mouth at the Columbia River. It is also one of the most important salmon spawning rivers in North America. The Yakima River is a tributary of the Columbia River that runs through central Washington, providing irrigation water and hydroelectric power to much of the state. The Spokane River is another significant tributary of the Columbia River that flows through Spokane and parts of Idaho before joining with it. Lastly, there are numerous other smaller rivers throughout Washington such as the Nooksack, Cowlitz, Skagit and Wenatchee Rivers that provide a variety of recreational opportunities for anglers and boaters alike.

Lakes

Washington is home to numerous lakes, many of which are part of larger bodies of water such as rivers and reservoirs. The largest lake in Washington is Lake Chelan, located in the north-central part of the state. It is a deep, narrow lake with a maximum depth of 1,486 feet and a surface area of over 55 square miles. It is fed mainly by snowmelt from surrounding mountains and has numerous small bays, inlets and islands. Other notable large lakes include Lake Washington, located near Seattle; Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake on the Columbia River; Banks Lake near Grand Coulee Dam; and Sprague Lake near Spokane. In addition to these larger lakes, there are countless smaller natural lakes scattered throughout Washington’s landscape. These smaller lakes are often fed by mountain streams or springs, providing habitat for native fish species such as rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. Many of these smaller lakes also provide excellent recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating and swimming.