Olympia, Washington

Coordinates: 47°2′33″N 122°53′35″W / 47.04250°N 122.89306°W / 47.04250; -122.89306
From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Olympia, Washington
City of Olympia
(From top left to bottom right) Old Capitol Building, East Olympia, Interstate 5 at the junction of U.S. Route 101, Port of Olympia, Downtown from Capitol Lake, Washington State Capitol, Salmon sculpture, Mount Rainier, Olympic Mountains and Swantown Marina, Percival Landing Park.
(From top left to bottom right) Old Capitol Building, East Olympia, Interstate 5 at the junction of U.S. Route 101, Port of Olympia, Downtown from Capitol Lake, Washington State Capitol, Salmon sculpture, Mount Rainier, Olympic Mountains and Swantown Marina, Percival Landing Park.
Nickname: 
Oly
Olympia, Washington is located in Washington (state)
Olympia, Washington
Olympia, Washington
Olympia, Washington is located in the United States
Olympia, Washington
Olympia, Washington
Olympia, Washington (the United States)
Olympia, Washington is located in North America
Olympia, Washington
Olympia, Washington
Olympia, Washington (North America)
Coordinates: 47°2′33″N 122°53′35″W / 47.04250°N 122.89306°W / 47.04250; -122.89306
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyThurston
IncorporatedJanuary 28, 1859; 165 years ago (1859-01-28)
Government
 • TypeCouncil/City Manager
 • MayorCheryl Selby (D)
Area
 • City19.68 sq mi (50.97 km2)
 • Land17.82 sq mi (46.15 km2)
 • Water1.86 sq mi (4.82 km2)
Elevation
95 ft (29 m)
Population
 • City46,478
 • Estimate 
(2015)[2]
50,302
 • Rank1st in Thurston County
24th in Washington
750th in the United States
 • Density2,608.2/sq mi (1,007.0/km2)
 • Urban
176,617 (US: 195th
 • Metro
269,536 (US: 177th
DemonymOlympian
Time zonePacific
 • Summer (DST)Pacific
ZIP codes
98501-98599
Area code360
FIPS code53-51300
GNIS feature ID1533353[3]
Websitewww.olympiawa.gov

Olympia is the capital city of the state of Washington, in the United States of America. It became a city on January 28, 1859. As of the 2010 census, it has 46,478 people living in it.[4] The people of Olympia are called Olympians. Olympia is the county seat of Thurston County.

Geography[change | change source]

Olympia is located at 47°2'33" North, 122°53'35" West (47.042418, -122.893077).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total size of 48.0 km² (18.5 mi²). 43.3 km² (16.7 mi²) of it is land and 4.7 km² (1.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 9.77% water.

Olympia is on the water (Puget Sound) and close to dark green forests and high mountains (the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier). On most days of the year the sky is full of clouds and it rains, but sunny weather is more common in July, August, and September.

Economy[change | change source]

Many people in Olympia work for the government of the State of Washington. Every year, state representatives and state senators come to Olympia to make laws and to pass a budget for the state government.

Olympia is the home of the Olympia Farmers Market and The Evergreen State College.

Culture[change | change source]

Every April, the people of Olympia celebrate the "Procession of the Species,". It is a parade. Many Olympians, of all ages, dress up to look like animals, birds, fish, plants, and even insects, and walk in the parade. Some also play drums or dance the samba.

References[change | change source]

  1. "National 2010 urban area file containing a list of all urbanized areas and urban clusters (including Puerto Rico and the Island Areas) sorted by UACE code". United States Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original (TXT) on May 16, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  2. "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. "Olympia (city) Quick Facts from the U.S. Census Bureau". Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2011.

Other websites[change | change source]