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As
part of the vast Oregon Country, Washington territory was visited by
Spanish, American, and British explorers-Bruno Heceta for Spain in
1775, the American Capt. Robert Gray in 1792, and Capt. George
Vancouver for Britain in 1792-1794. Lewis and Clark explored the
Columbia River region and coastal areas for the U.S. in 1805-1806.
Rival American and
British settlers and conflicting territorial claims threatened war in
the early 1840s. However, in 1846 the Oregon Treaty set the boundary
at the 49th parallel and war was averted.
Washington is a
leading lumber producer. Its rugged surface is rich in stands of
Douglas fir, hemlock, ponderosa and white pine, spruce, larch, and
cedar. The state holds first place in apples, lentils, dry edible
peas, hops, pears, red raspberries, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries,
and ranks high in apricots, asparagus, grapes, peppermint oil, and
potatoes. Livestock and livestock products make important
contributions to total farm revenue and the commercial fishing catch
of salmon, halibut, and bottomfish makes a significant contribution to
the state's economy.
Manufacturing
industries in Washington include aircraft and missiles, shipbuilding
and other transportation equipment, lumber, food processing, metals
and metal products, chemicals, and machinery.
Washington has
over 1,000 dams, including the Grand Coulee, built for a variety of
purposes including irrigation, power, flood control, and water
storage. Its abundance of electrical power makes Washington one of the
nation's major producers of refined aluminum.
Among the major
points of interest: Mt. Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National
Parks. Mount St. Helens, a peak in the Cascade Range, erupted in May
1980. Also of interest are Whitman Mission and Fort Vancouver National
Historic Sites; and the Pacific Science Center and the Space Needle,
in Seattle.
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