Landscapes of Washington State

Washington, in the Pacific Northwest, offers striking geographic diversity:

1. Mountains

Cascade Range, Olympic Range, North Cascades—peaks, volcanoes, glaciers, canyons. Mount Rainier (highest) dominates the Cascades.

2. Temperate Rainforests

Olympic Peninsula's Hoh Rainforest (Olympic National Park): ancient moss-draped trees, heavy rainfall, rich wildlife.

3. Plains & Valleys

Eastern WA: rolling Palouse wheat hills; Yakima Valley vineyards, orchards, hop fields.

4. Coastline

150+ miles of Pacific coast: sandy beaches, rocky headlands, sea stacks, tide pools. Puget Sound's islands and fjords.

5. Volcanoes

Mount St. Helens (1980 eruption), Mount Adams, Mount Baker, Glacier Peak.

This variety makes Washington a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts.