Ecosystem Regions of Washington State

These Ecosystem Regions of Washington State are part of a concept from Washington State Department of Transportation (WA DOT).

 

 

From WA DOT: "

Eco-regions denote areas within which ecosystems (the type, quality, and quantity of environmental conditions) are generally similar. The approach used to compile this map is based on the premise that ecological regions can be identified through the analysis of the patterns and the composition of biotic and abiotic phenomena that affect or reflect differences in ecosystem quality and integrity (Wiken 1986; Omernik 1987, 1995). These phenomena include geology, physiography, vegetation, climate, soils, land use, wildlife, and hydrology. The relative importance of each characteristic varies from one ecological region to another regardless of the hierarchical level. http://www.epa.gov/wed/pages/ecoregions/level_iii.htm"

Washington Highest, Lowest, & Mean Elevations
Mean Elevation 1,700 ft.
Highest Point Mt. Rainier 14,410 ft.
Lowest Point Pacific Ocean Sea level

Washington Land Area (Square Miles)

Geographic Center In Chelan County, 10 mi. WSW of Wenatchee
Longitude: 120° 16.1'W
Latitude: 47° 20.0' N
Total Area 71,299.64 sq. mi.
18th  Land Area 66,544.06 sq. mi.
93.34%  Water Area 4,755.58 sq. mi.
6.66%  Forested Land Area 51.4%
Dimensions  (Length - Width) 360 miles - 240 miles

Washington: Physiographic Regions

Washington has six physiographic regions.
1.Olympic Peninsula (Olympic Mountains)
2.Coast Range
3.Puget Sound Lowlands
4.Cascade Range (Cascade Mountains)
5.Columbia Plateau
6.Rocky Mountains
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