Spokane

/spoʊˈkæn/ noun

Definition

A major city in Washington state in the northwestern United States, known for being east of the Cascade Mountains.

Etymology

Named after the Spokane Native American people whose name likely means 'children of the sun' or 'sun people' in their Salish language. The city was established during the gold rush era of the 1880s.

Kelly Says

Spokane sits in the 'rain shadow' of the Cascade Mountains—the mountains block rainy air from the Pacific Ocean, making Spokane one of Washington's driest cities despite Washington's reputation for rain! This geography completely shaped the city's economy and development.

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