The region of Washington I would like to live in

Picture of Mt. Rainier over Puget Sound. Picture via Wikipedia

The region of Washington I would like to live in is the Western Lowlands. There are several reasons for this. According to the book Washington: A State of Contrasts, the weather in this region is mild in winter and summer. Also the book states that the grass stays green all year, so my yard wouldn't turn yellow in the winter. Additionally there are a lot of lakes and rivers in this region which would be fun places to take a vacation. Finally I would live right next to the Puget sound, so I could fish and do other water-related activities.

Rainshadow Effect on Washington State's Economy

Diagram of Rain-Shadow Via Wikipedia

There are several ways the Rain-Shadow effects the economy of Washington. According to Washington:  a State of Contrasts, the Rain-Shadow effect is caused by the Cascades, which are a physical barrier that keeps out moisture on the leeward side of the Cascades. According to the National Weather Service there is less moisture on the eastern side of the Cascades, from less than 10 inches of rain to 30 for most of the area.  Crops that would not survive with as much moisture as there is on the western side can grow on the eastern side.  A lot of the land east of the Cascades is farmland, for example according to New World encyclopedia, the Palouse  region of southeast Washington is mostly farmland.

Most Influential Geological Process In Washington's Geography

Picture via Wikipedia

          I believe the most influential geological process in forming Washington's geography was Glaciation.  Glaciation is when glaciers move and erode away valleys and huge paths in the ground, or other things, such as flooding, resulting from this movement. The first reason Glaciation was the most influential was because Glaciation created the Puget Sound . That entire waterway in Washington was caused by the Puget Lobe, which was a glacier. Also there are many glacial lakes in Washington all caused by Glaciation. Dry Falls was also caused by Glaciation. Dry falls was the biggest waterfall in the country when it was still active. Dry Falls was so big Niagara Falls would have been insignificant next to it. It was caused when a glacier created flooding. The fourth reason Glaciation was the most important geological process in shaping Washington's geography was the Palouse Hills. Palouse Hills were created through glacial till, a result of Glaciation. Glaciation is also responsible for the San Juan Islands. Glaciers came as far south as Olympia at the peak of glacial coverage in Washington. The  Polson Lobe was also was a hugely influential. This was because it blocked Clark Fork for over one year and caused flooding which created Lake Missoula, and the Channeled Scablands after the glacial dam broke.

Trail Eroded by Glacier   Picture via Wikipedia