Washington,astatein thePacific Northwestregion of theUnited States, islocatedon the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Named afterGeorge Washington, the first President of the United States, the stateis sometimes referred to asWashington Stateor theState of Washingtonto distinguish it from Washington, D.C., thecapitalof the United States.
Washington is the18th largestand the13th most populousstate. Approximately 60 percent of Washington's residents live in theSeattle metropolitan area –the center of transportation, business, and industry along thePuget Soundregion of the Salish Sea–an inlet of the Pacific Ocean consisting of numerous islands, deepfjords, and bays carved out by glaciers. The remainder of the state consists of deeptemperate rainforestsin the west,mountain rangesin the west, central, northeast and far southeast, and a semi-arid basin region in the east, central, and south, given over to intensive agriculture. Whether you’re looking for hip cities,hikes, or laid-back beaches, the diversity of Washington state means there's something here for every type of traveller!