<P> The apple industry is of particular importance to Washington . Because of the favorable climate of dry, warm summers and cold winters of central Washington, the state has led the U.S. in apple production since the 1920s . Two areas account for the vast majority of the state's apple crop: the Wenatchee--Okanogan region (comprising Chelan, Okanogan, Douglas, and Grant counties), and the Yakima region (comprising Yakima, Benton, and Kittitas counties). </P> <P> Washington ranks second in the United States in the production of wine, behind only California . By 2006, the state had over 31,000 acres (130 km) of vineyards, a harvest of 120,000 short tons (109,000 t) of grapes, and exports going to over 40 countries around the world from the state's 600 wineries . While there are some viticultural activities in the cooler, wetter western half of the state, the majority (99%) of wine grape production takes place in the desert - like eastern half . The rain shadow of the Cascade Range leaves the Columbia River Basin with around 8 inches (200 mm) of annual rain fall, making irrigation and water rights of paramount interest to the Washington wine industry . Viticulture in the state is also influenced by long sunlight hours (on average, two more hours a day than in California during the growing season) and consistent temperatures . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs expansion . You can help by adding to it . (December 2017) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs expansion . You can help by adding to it . (December 2017) </Td> </Tr>

Who is considered the second most important official in washington d.c