Spokane, city in eastern Washington and seat of Spokane County, at falls of the Spokane River. Spokane is the second largest city in the state after Seattle. It is a commercial, manufacturing, transportation, and cultural center of a vast farming, mining, and lumbering area called the Inland Northwest. The Inland Northwest is made up of eastern Washington, northern Idaho, western Montana, and northeastern Oregon.
Many of Spokane's industries are powered by hydroelectricity produced in the region. High technology and service companies are becoming important to the economy. Manufactures include aluminum, forest products, machinery, electrical and electronic equipment, processed food, plastic goods, and computer software. Fairchild Air Force Base is one of the area's largest employers. The city is a major rail center; commercial air service is through Spokane International Airport.
