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A land of awe-inspiring beauty nestled in the far corner of the continental U.S., Washington is a study in contrasts, its breathtaking Pacific coast separated from a semi-desert interior by the imposing Cascade Mountains. The Evergreen State’s position on the Pacific Rim brings both trade and ample rain to its lush forests. Long a center for timber and agricultural production, more recently Washington has become a technological hub and trendsetter for the whole nation, anchored by the vibrant metropolis of Seattle.

Washington State was first settled by various Native American groups whose economies centered on salmon fishing and whaling. Their influence is still visible around the state in the form of totem poles, longhouses and ornately carved masks and dugout canoes.

After the arrival of Europeans, Washington (then part of Oregon territory) was disputed by Britain and the United States, and was at first settled mostly by trappers. Timber and agriculture, such as the apple orchards of the Yakima Valley, became the state’s primary industries once Washington became the 42nd state in 1889.

Washington’s climate and character are defined by great West to East variation. The Western part of the state is characterized by a mild, semi-humid climate with heavy rainfall in the winter months. This region is home to the many harbors along Puget Sound, the thick forests of Olympic National Park (among the rainiest places on Earth) and the only rainforests in the continental United States, such as the Hoh Rain Forest.

East of the Cascade Mountains, the climate is much dryer, both in the fertile valleys of the Columbia River Basin and the more sparsely populated Okanogan Highlands. In this part of the state, rolling farmland that makes Washington a leading producer of crops like raspberries, peas, hops, apples and cherries fades into arid semi-desert that stretches for miles without even a tree.

In recent years, Washington has reinvented itself as one of the hippest, most technologically savvy areas in the country. Microsoft and Boeing, among many others, make their headquarters here, while Seattle in particular has been at the forefront of national trends, from grunge music (Nirvana) to coffee-house culture (Starbucks).

Bathed in the Pacific and bisected by towering mountains, Washington stands at a crossroads between land and sea, desert and rainforest, traditional and trendy. The state’s contrasts in climate and geography, its incredibly pristine natural vistas and its dynamic, evolving population, make Washington a unique, vibrant place to call home.