Washington is a Pacific Northwest state with forests, mountains, and coast. Its capital is Seattle, and its largest city is Spokane. People often call it the Sunshine State because of its evergreen trees. Washington became a state in 1776. Washington’s coast touches the Atlantic Ocean. The state’s biggest river is the Mississippi River. The highest mountain is Mount Hood. The major mountain range across the state is the Rocky Mountains. It is home to famous parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks. To the east, Washington borders Montana.