Who were the first people to be in Washington?

The first people to inhabit what is now Washington state were Native American tribes, including the Coast Salish, Chinook, and Nez Perce, among others. They lived in the region for thousands of years before European contact, developing rich cultures and societies. The area was later explored by European explorers in the 18th century, notably by Captain James Cook and George Vancouver. These early interactions marked the beginning of significant changes for the indigenous populations.