Explore this Washington map to know everything you want to know. Learn about the location of this state in the United States of America. Check out its geography, time zones, history, major cities, national parks, trails, flag, capital, and many more.

About Washington

Washington is the 42nd state of the United States, which was admitted to the union on November 11, 1889. Olympia is Washington’s capital city. Seattle is the largest city and also the largest metro-urban area in Washington state. 

People speak 163 languages in Washington, making it the 3rd most linguistically diverse state in the USA. The most common languages in Washington are English, Spanish, Chinese (such as Mandarin, Cantonese, and others), Vietnamese, Russian, and others. 

In the US, Washington is one of the top 10 most populous states. While “The Evergreen State” is its nickname, “Al-ki or Alki” (meaning “by and by”) is the State Motto. Learn more about this US state from Facts of Washington.

Washington Flag

Washington’s state flag consists of the state seal. The background of this flag is dark green. At the center of this flag, the seal is displayed. This seal is 1/3rd of the flag’s length. The seal displays the image of the first US President, George Washington. It is the only state flag in the United States that displays the image of an American president. A yellow or gold ring surrounds this image, where “THE SEAL OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON” and “1889” is written. 

The flag’s proportion is 1:1.6 (5:8). Though Washington gained statehood in 1889, it didn’t have a flag for decades. The flag of Washington was adopted on March 5, 1923, and standardized in 1967. Learn more about Washingnton State Symbols.

Washington History

The early history of Washington can be traced back to 9,300 years back. Before the arrival of the Europeans, the Americas were dominated by the Native American tribes. In 1775, Spanish Captain Don Bruno de Heceta landed on the Washington coast. It is the first first-ever ever recorded European landing in this area. Under the Treaty of Tordesillas, he rested claim on the land that is now known as coastal Washington. 

In 1790, explorers and traders from Britain and Russia started flooding this area once the Spanish ended their exclusivity claims after the British–Spanish Nootka Convention. Spanish and Russian claims to the land ended after 1819’s Adams–Onís Treaty and 1824-1825’s Russo-American Treaty. 

Due to the extreme rise in population of the Oregon Territory, the Washington state was formed on November 11, 1889. Washington became the heart of war industries during World War 2.

Washington Location

Washington Location Map shows the exact location of the US state of Washington on the US map. It also shows the boundaries of states in the US, neighboring countries, and oceans. 

The state of Washington is situated in Western USA’s Pacific Northwest region. It shares its border with British Columbia (a Canadian province) in the north, Idaho in the east, Oregon in the south, and the Pacific Ocean in the west. Its precise location is 45°33′ N to 49° N Latitude and 116°55′ W to 124°46′ W Longitude. Check the Washington Longitude and Latitude Map to learn more about the location.

Washington Geography

This state is spread across a total area of 71,362 sq mi (184,827 sq km), out of which 66,544 sq mi (172,587 sq km) is land area and 4,757 sq mi (12,237 sq km) is water area. In terms of area, it is the 18th largest state in the United States. 

The geography of Washington state can be divided into six landforms:

1. Olympic Mountains: It is situated in Washington’s northwest corner. The Strait of Juan de Fuca borders the Olympic Mountains on the north and the Pacific Ocean on the west. 
2. Coast Range: This land area is situated in Washington’s southwest corner and to the Olympic Mountains’ south. Willapa Hills overlooking Willapa Bay is Washington’s most notable feature. 
3. Puget Sound Lowlands: It is located to the Olympic Mountains’ east and Cascade Mountains’ west. The Valley of the Chehalis River comes within this geographical location. This valley houses 3/4th of the total population in Washington state. 
4. Cascade Mountains: These mountains are situated east of the Puget Sound Lowlands. Some of the peaks (including Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Glacier Peak, and others) are more than 10,000 feet from sea level. You’ll find beautiful, lush forests along the lower slopes of the Cascade Mountains. 
5. Columbia Plateau: The Columbia Plateau land area is situated mainly in central and southern Washington. This landform has an elevation of 500-to-2,000 feet from sea level. 
6. Rocky Mountains: A part of the Rocky Mountains located in the northeast part of Washington is called The Washington Rocky Mountains or the Columbia Mountains. The Columbia River, the Okanogan River, and other tributaries of the Columbia River cut the ridges and valleys. The Columbia Mountains are rich in various minerals, including lead, copper, silver, gold, zinc, magnesite, and limestone. Check this Washington Topographic Map to learn more.

Learn more about the geography of Washington state, the location of mountain peaks, rivers, lakes, the state capital, state boundary, ocean, and neighboring states from this Physical Map of Washington.

Washington Counties 

Washington has 39 counties. In terms of area, Okanogan County is the largest, and San Juan County is the smallest county. While Okanogan County has a total area of 5,268 sq mi (13,644 sq km), San Juan County’s total area is 175 sq mi (453 sq km). Check out the location and boundaries of different counties in the Washington County Map.

Washington Area Codes

The US State of Washington has six telephone area codes, and they are:

1. 206: Seattle
2. 253: Tacoma
3. 360: Western Washington
4. 425: Everett and the Eastside
5. 509: Eastern Washington
6. 564: Western Washington

The Washington Area Codes Map helps you locate a particular area code and shows the area code boundary, county and state boundaries, and state capital. 

Washington Zip Codes

There are 592 active zip codes in Washington state. Some of the best zip codes to live in are 98004, 98005, 98052, 98121, 98007, 98109, 98033, 98122, 98029, 98006, and many more. The Washington Zip Code Map helps you locate a particular zip code’s location and shows the zip code boundary, state boundary, and state capital. 

Washington Major Cities

Washington cities map helps you learn about the state’s major cities and locations. It also showcases the state capital, state boundary, other cities, neighboring states and oceans, and many more. 

Washington’s largest and major cities are Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, Renton, Kirkland, Spokane Valley, Everett, Kent, Bellevue, and many more. Check out the Washington Cities Map for more details.

Washington Airports

The busiest airports in Washington are Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Spokane International Airport (Geiger Field), Tri-Cities Airport, Bellingham International Airport, and many more. Check the location of different airports (both public-use and military) in the state on the Washington Airports Map. This map also shows Washington’s state and country boundaries, cities, the state capital, neighboring states, and oceans.

Washington National Park and Trails

Washington has 15 national parks. Around 7,307,973 visitors visit these national parks annually. Major national parks in the state are Mount Rainier, North Cascades, Lewis & Clark Historic Trail, Olympic, Manhattan Project, Wing Luke Museum, Whitman Mission, San Juan Island, and others.

In Washington, you can enjoy around 700 miles of recreational trails (hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and other adventurous trails). Some of the most popular ones are Rattlesnake Ledge Trail, Lake 22 Trail, Skyline Trail Loop, Snow Lake Trail, Mount Si Trail, Twin Falls Trail, etc. 

Check out the locations of different national parks, monuments, preserves, and more details in the National Parks in Washington Map.

Washington Climate 

Just like its geography, Washington state has a diverse climate. The Cascade Mountain Range divides Washington into Eastern Washington and Western Washington. 

You’ll find relatively mild weather in Western Washington. The temperature during summer remains within 79 °F (26 °C). During the daytime of winter, the temperature remains above 45 °F (8 °C). However, at night, the temperature can go as low as 20s °F to 30s °F (-6 °C to -1 °C). Snowfall is rare in the western part of the state. The yearly rainfall in the greater Seattle area hovers around 37 inches (94 cm). In Western Washington, the driest months are January and February. The wettest months are January and February. 

The Cascade Mountain Ranges get lots of snowfall, up to 200 inches (508 cm) annually. That’s why, during winter, these mountains become a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. 

As most of the rain is captured by the Cascades, the yearly rainfall level remains significantly low in Eastern Washington in comparison to Western Washington. While central Washington receives 7-to-9 inches (18-to-23 cm) of rainfall yearly, the eastern edge of Washington receives an average of 15-to-30 inches (38-to-76 cm) of rain annually. 

Eastern Washington gets hotter summers and colder winters than that Western Washington. The average high temperature during summer hovers within the upper 80s °F to mid-90s °F (27 °C to 34 °C). The average daytime temperature during winter hovers around the upper 30s °F to just above 0 °F (3 °C to -17 °C).

Washington Time Zones

The time zone of most of Washington is UTC– 08:00 (Pacific).

Washington Education

The US State of Washington has various historic and renowned private universities, the most notable being the University of Washington. The state has six public institutions of higher education providing four-year programs.

FAQs on Washington

FAQ #1: What Time Zone is Washington State?

Ans: The time zone in Washington is Pacific Daylight Time (GMT-7). 

FAQ #2: How Tall is the Washington Monument?

Ans: The height of the Washington Monument is 169.3 meters (555 feet 5 inches). 

FAQ #3: What is the Capital of Washington?

Ans: The capital of Washington is Olympia. 

FAQ #4: Where is Washington State?

Ans: Washington is situated in the Western USA’s Pacific Northwest region. 

FAQ #5: How Many People Live in Washington State?

Ans: As of April 1, 2022, the population of Washington is 7.8 million (7,864,400 people). 

FAQ #6: What Is Washington State Known For?

Ans: Washington state is known for Seattle, Space Needle, Chihuly Glass, Puget Sound, Ferries to the San Juan Islands, Mount Rainier, Spokane, wine, Columbia River, and many more. 

FAQ #7: When To See Northern Lights In Washington?

Ans: Northern Lights In Washington were last visible in late March 2022, and the best time to view them is from 9 pm to midnight. 

FAQ #8: How Many Counties In Washington State?

Ans: 39 counties are there in Washington state.

FAQ #9: Does it Snow in Washington State?

Ans: Yes, Washington state receives snow, especially from October to May. 

FAQ #10: How Many Attended The March On Washington In 1963?

Ans: More than 250,000 demonstrators attended the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” on August 28, 1963.