Introduction: Washington Download PDF
Mining was the main driver of Washington’s economy in the nineteenth century but it has diversified significantly since then. The discovery of gold in Alaska sparked the growth of Seattle in the early twentieth century, as the city’s location made it the perfect departure point for those hoping to strike it rich in the northern frontier.
Agriculture accounts for roughly one fifth of Washington’s gross domestic product and employs nearly 200,000 people. Washington is the country’s leading producer of apples, pears and sweet cherries. Other significant contributors to the state’s economy include the production of wheat, aluminum, and tourism.
Modern days have seen Washington become a manufacturing hub for the aerospace and technology industries. Home to the cities of Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett, the Puget Sound contains a significant portion of Washington’s industrial and commercial development.
Government
Symbols
State Seal: |
State Quarter: |
Time Zones:
| Standard Time | GMT-8 | |
| Daylight-Saving Time | GMT-7 | |
Statistics
- Per Capita Real GDP :
- $40,361
- Population:
- 6,549,220
- Percent of People Under Poverty Level:
- 11.9%
- Per Capita Personal Income:
- $37,423
- Percent of Population with a Bachelor's Degree:
- 19.4%
- Total Exports:
- $66,258,500,000
Top 5 Export Partner Countries
China
Japan
Canada
United Arab Emirates
Korea, South
Top 5 Export Merchandise
Computers and Electronic Products Sales
Transportation Equipment Sales
Computers and Electronic Products Manufacturing
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
Fabricated Metal Products Manufacturing
Major Cities
Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma
Major Airports
| Airport Name | City | |
| BFI | Boeing Field/King County International | Seattle |
| GEG | Spokane International | Spokane |
| SEA | Seattle-Tacoma International | Seattle |
Main Ports:
Anacortes, Everett, Grays Harbor, Kalama, Longview, Olympia, Port Angeles, Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver
Corporations
| Company | Fortune 1000 Rank: | Revenues ($millions) | Headquarter City |
| Costco Wholesale | 32 | 60,151 | Issaquah |
| Microsoft | 49 | 44,282 | Redmond |
| Washington Mutual | 81 | 26,561 | Seattle |
| Weyerhaeuser | 105 | 22,250 | Federal Way |
| Paccar | 141 | 16,454 | Bellevue |