Olympia

Olympia, Washington is the capitol of Washington state and it is the county seat and cultural hub for Thurston County. Located at the southern end of Puget Sound on Budd Inlet, Olympia is on many "best places/cities/college towns" lists due to its economy, wonderful schools, cultural milieu, vibrant downtown and its proximity to the Olympic Peninsula, Cascade Mountains and its scenic views.   Incorporated in January 1859, historically, Olympia was the home to the Lushootseed-speaking native people and was the farthest point on The Oregon Trail.  The population in the 2,000 census was 42,514.  

Olympia is approximately 169 miles south of the Canadian border and 106 miles north of the Oregon border. Seattle is but 60 miles north and Portland, Oregon is 114 miles south.Capital The Washington State Legislature meets in the Legislative Building on the Washington State Capitol campus in Olympia. The state has 49 legislative districts of equal population, each represented by two representatives and one senators. The Governor's office is housed  in the Legislative building and the Governor's mansion is next door. Highways Olympia has an Amtrak station with services to Portland, Tacoma, Seattle and beyond. Interstate 5, the major North-South highway, links Olympia to Portand and Seattle. U.S. Route 101 provides access to the Olympic Peninsula from Olympia Schools The Olympia School District has 19 schools including four high schools: Avanti, Capital, Olympia and Olympia Regional Learning Academy, Northwest Christian High School is a private high school in the city.

Universities and colleges serving Olympia include:

• Evergreen State College
• Northwest Indian College
• St. Martin's University
• South Puget Sound Community College
• Washington State University - Energy Program, Government Relations Program, Lobbying
  

Major Employers The city's early growth was based upon its port and timber industry and later oyster farming and dairies.  The city still produces wood products and provides commercial shipping with its deep water port. The state government is a major factor in the local economy. The city also has burgeoning tourist industry. The a major employers are:

• State of Washington
• Local government
• Providence St. Peter Hospital
• Tribal Governments
• Federal Government
• Group Health Cooperative
• Columbia Capital Medical Center

Attractions

• Capital Playhouse
  
• Olympia Family Theater
  
• Theater Artists Olympia
  
• Olympia Little Theater
  
• Harlequin Productions
  
• Olympia Symphony Orchestra
  
• Olympia Film Society - nationally redcognized film festivals  
  
• Parks, Arts & Recreation - Olympia has more than 240 acres of open spaces and 27 parks.
  
• Capital Lakefair Festival
  
• Olympian Wooden Boat Fair 

Links

• City of Olympia
  
• Thurston County Chamber of Commerce
  
• Everyday Olympia
  
• Capital City Pride Festival
  
• Olympia's Procession of the Species
  
• General Administration - State of Washington
  
• Everyday Olympia
  
• Port of Olympia