The 5th District of Washington covers the easternmost segment
of the state (17,671 square miles). Eastern Washington is
a land of great rivers and bare parched land, where the Columbia,
Spokane and Snake Rivers wind among vast plateaus, bringing
water from the Rockies to the desert.
In the late 19th century, the Spokane area became a major
center for wheat, mining, and the railroad industry. Located
285 miles east of Seattle, Spokane is the urban center of
the 5th district. It was the site of the 1974 World Exhibition
and hosts Bloomsday,
the largest timed road race in North America. Today, some
two-thirds of the people in the 5th district live in greater
Spokane. It now is commonly referred to as the hub of the
"Inland Empire", which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho,
and Montana.
The northern part of the district contains the Colville
National Forest, where miles and miles of dense green
forests offer spectacular beauty, and the Lake
Roosevelt National Recreation Area. In the south, the
stunning grasslands and vast agricultural plateaus that stretch
the ridges of the Palouse are the heart of eastern Washington.
Further south are the remote Blue Mountains, containing the
Umatilla National Forest,
and the town of Walla Walla.
Besides the magnificent
landscape, the 5th District is the home to several renowned
colleges and universities and
military installations.
For more information
regarding the 5th District, link to the Access
Washington web site. If you would like to see pictures
taken around the Inland Northwest, please visit Michael's
Nature Photography website.
Volunteers are
needed in Spokane County. Please visit the Spokane
County United Way Volunteerism website if you would like
an opportunity to give back to our community.
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