Everyone by now is familiar with the mantra that Washington is a state that is dependent on trade. But by how much exactly? Answering that question is the focus of a special report in the October issue of Washington CEO Magazine, which is arriving in mailboxes and on bookstore shelves this week.

We turned our attention to the various ways in which trade, especially foreign trade, impacts our economy and lives here in the northwest corner of the country. The answer, as it turns out, is a lot: Our five-part series, The Trade Imperative, explores the history of Washington as a port of call, the trade in services, how small manufacturers are thriving on international commerce, what one telecommunications company did in order to survive, and what trade means to Washington's farmers.

The series also includes our two-page graphic spread, "State of Trade," breaking down the numbers and showing exactly where all those imports come from, and where the exports go. Our series was written by senior writers Bryan Corliss and Aaron Corvin, and contributing editor Dean Paton. Look for the orange cover on stands soon.