Capital Olympia Became a State November 11, 1887 (42nd) Location Pacific Northwestern United States Area 71,300 sq. miles (18th) Population 6,724,540 (13th) Major Cities Seattle, Spokane, Olympia, Tacoma, Kennewick, Pasco, Richland Products red raspberries, hops, spearmint, apples, sweet cherries, peppermint, oil, Concord rapes, carrots, Niagra grapes, lentils, potatoes, prunes, dry peas, asparagus, sweet corn, green peas, plums, onions, barley, trout, wheat, cranberries, strawberries Climate Puget Sound lowlands see clouds and rain in the winter, western, slopes of the Cascades receives larger amounts of snow - drier climate prevails east of the Cascade Range - prevailing winds from the southwest in autumn and winter bring warm and most air masses Yearly Precipitation averages 28 inches Professional Sports Teams Seattle Seahawks (National Football League) Seattle Mariners (Major League Baseball) Seattle Super Sonics (National Basketball Association) Seattle Thunderbirds (Western Hockey League) Seattle Storm (Women’s National Basketball Association)Spokane Chiefs (Western Hockey League) Everett Silvertips (Western Hockey League) Tri-City Americans (Western Hockey League) Major Waterways Pacific Ocean, Puget Sound, Yakima River, Columbia River, Snake River Most Famous Citizens Bob Barker (TV host) Bing Crosby (singer) Chief Joseph (Indian leader) Bill Gates (software executive) Jim Hendrex (guitarist), Phil Mahre (skier)