Traveling in Washington State. Ethnic and religious composition

Washington is a state located in the northwestern United States. The capital is the city of Seattle. Major cities: Spokane, Olympia, Tacoma, Everett, Bellevue. For 2011, the population is 6,830,038 people. More than half of the state's residents live in the capital. Area 184,827 km². On November 11, 1889, Washington became the 42nd state of the United States.

State Attractions

In 2004, the Central Library was opened in Seattle. This place immediately became very popular among tourists. Here, 1.5 million books are placed in 34 thousand m². The library building is recognized as one of the most beautiful buildings. People come here not only to read, but also to admire the unique building.

Thirty miles from Seattle is the city of Puget Sound. There is a large port, many museums, theaters, ancient buildings. Mount Rainier is located southeast of the city.

The beautiful city of Olympia has many nature reserves and parks. It is a large cultural center, with six famous theaters, its own live jazz community and a symphony orchestra.

In addition, here are national park Mount Rainier, Tillicum Village, Space Needle, Olympic National Park, Snoqualmie Falls.

Geography and climate

Washington State borders Idaho to the east, British Columbia to the north, and Oregon to the south. In the west, the territory has access to the Pacific Ocean. More than 90% of the territory is on land. In the central, southeastern and northeastern parts of the state there are mountain ranges, in the west - forests, in the east - semi-deserts. The mountains that divide the state stretch from north to south. The western part has a maritime climate, with wet winters and dry summers. There are coniferous forests here. In the eastern part there are vast steppes, arid deserts. The climate is dry. About 178 mm of precipitation falls annually. There are several active volcanoes in the Cascades.

Economy

GDP in 2005 amounted to $268.5 billion. The headquarters of such companies as Microsoft, Amazon, Valve, Starbucks, PACCAR are located here. Until 2007, the well-known company Icos (biotechnology) functioned here. Aerospace industry led by by Boeing occupies key positions. More than 80 thousand people work at the company's factories. There are about 3,000 enterprises supplying parts for Boeing. The state ranks first in electricity production. Here is one of the largest dams in the world - Grand Coulee, as well as many hydroelectric power plants, thousands of dams. Farming is developed, fruits, hops, wheat, barley, potatoes, grapes and much more are grown. The state ranks third in wine production. Much attention is paid to animal husbandry, poultry farming, dairy production, and seafood production. Medical marijuana is officially legal in Washington, but since 2010, the sale of energy drinks containing alcohol or caffeine has been banned.

Population and religion

The population density of the state is 34.20 people per km² (25th place). The racial makeup was 69.5% White, 13.8% Asian, 7.9% African American, 5.1% Mixed Race, 0.8% Native American, and 6.6% Hispanic of any race. By ethnic origin, the inhabitants of the state can be distributed as follows: Germans - 20.9%, British - 12.6%, Irish - 12.6%, Norwegians - 6.2%, Americans - 4.1%, French - 4%, Swedes - 3.9%, Italians - 3.6%, Scots - 3.4%, Scots of Irish origin - 2.6%, Dutch - 2.5%, Poles - 1.9%, Russians - 1.4% , Danes - 1.2%.

Most of the indigenous population lived on reservations and only in the post-war years began to move to big cities. By religion, 77% of the population identify themselves as Christians.

Do you know...

Washington is the only state that was named after a president (George Washington).

The state of Washington is located in the northeastern United States on the coast Pacific Ocean, south of the Canadian province of British Columbia, north of Oregon and west of Idaho. Its area is 184.8 km2, the population is more than 6 million people. The capital of the state is the city of Olympia, the largest cities are Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma.

How to get there

The largest airports in Washington state are located 6 km from Olympia, in Seattle and in Seatak, between the cities of Seattle and Tacoma. There are no direct flights from Moscow, but you can fly daily connecting flights from Los Angeles or New York. The most popular carriers are American Airlines, Delta, United and North West.

In addition, a lot of ships arrive in Puget Sound - including cruise passenger ships, mainly from Asian countries. And Washington's major cities of Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma and Olympia are served by the United States' largest ferry system of 28 high-speed ferries navigating the Puget Sound and inland waterways to 20 destinations.

The climate of Washington state

The climate of the state varies greatly from west to east. Oceanic climate in the west (on the Pacific coast, the average annual temperature is +11 °C) and much drier, arid in the east of the Cascades (average +4 °C). In winter, frequent fogs, cloudiness and prolonged drizzling rains, summers are usually sunny and dry. However, climatic extremes are not uncommon in the western region: arctic cold fronts in winter (up to −30 °C) and intense heat in summer (up to +45 °C).

Entertainment, excursions and attractions in Washington State

About 60% of Washington State residents live in Seattle, a transportation, business and industrial center in the Puget Sound region near the Salish Sea. Trade routes with Asian countries pass through the ports of Puget Sound, and Seattle itself is considered the largest business center on the coast. Most of Washington State's attractions are concentrated in and around Seattle.

Since the middle of the 19th century, this city has been given the unofficial name " royal city”, derived from the “Pacific queen of cities”, then still changed to “Emerald City”. Other nicknames for Seattle are "Gateway to Alaska", "Rainy City" and "Jet City" (thanks to Boeing).

The hallmark of Seattle is the fantastic-looking Space Needle (Space Needle), erected in the early 60s of the last century on the territory of the Seattle Center exhibition complex, which is the center of many city and cultural events. The Space Needle has been immortalized by many American photographers and filmmakers. In addition, Seattle is famous for its skyscrapers: Smith Tower, Columbia Center, Washington Michual Tower, the Museum of Music History and science fiction in Seattle Center and the fantastic view of the central library building. Tourists are no less attracted to Pike Place Market - one of the oldest public markets in the United States, a center for festivities and performances by street actors, clowns and singers.Another tourist centre of the state - Spokane, more interesting to history buffs. 18 of the city's historic districts are on the National Register historical sites United States - over 50% of central Spokane is recognized historical heritage. Of particular interest are three historic Victorian districts: South Hill, Browne's Addition and Davenport Arts District. And finally, the wineries. There is an opinion that the wines from this state are even among the top five in the world - and tourists are offered to verify this for themselves. Perhaps the most famous winery is Chateau Ste Michelle, opened in 1912.

In the state of Washington, there is a state monopoly on the sale of alcoholic beverages. It applies to everything alcoholic drinks stronger than 20%, as well as liqueurs (even if their alcohol content is less than 20%) - they can only be bought in state-owned stores or private liquor stores with a state license. Beer and wine that contains less than 20% alcohol can be bought in regular shops and supermarkets.

Nature and National Parks in Washington State

The Cascade Mountains stretch from north to south, dividing the state into zones of maritime and sharply continental climate. There are several active volcanoes in the Cascade Range, which are significantly higher than the rest of the mountain range: Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, St. Helens and Mount Adams. However, in fact, only St. Helens (or Mount St. Helena) periodically erupts.

Just 80 km from Seattle is Mount Rainier volcano with a height of 4,392 m - due to its proximity to the metropolis, it is considered the most dangerous volcano in the continental United States and is included in the list of the ten most dangerous volcanoes in the world. There is also the National Park of the same name, one of the oldest in the United States (it was founded in 1899, the fourth of the national parks in the United States). This National Park is known not only for its glaciers (there are more than two dozen of them on its territory, and on top of Mount Rainier itself there is the largest glacier in the continental United States), but also for the most beautiful valleys, waterfalls, alpine meadows and, of course, magnificent forests. The second National Park of the State of Washington, Olympic, is located on the peninsula of the same name in the Pacific Ocean. mountain range The Olympic divides the National Park and the peninsula itself into two parts. Western is famous for the Ho Rainforest - one of the few tropical rainforests in the continental United States, beaches on the Pacific coast and three Indian reservations open to tourists. In the west, the climate is more arid. On the territory of the National Park Olympic mirror clear lakes, dense forests, alpine meadows, and about six dozen glaciers shine on the peaks of Olympic, which generally forms incredible beauty landscapes anywhere in the reserve.

Olympic National Park has the status of an International Biosphere Reserve and is listed world heritage thanks to the peculiar flora and fauna: being isolated from the mainland for a long time, its lands have preserved 15 endemic species of animals and 8 - plants.

Washington State's motto is "Gradually," which can be understood as "everything will work out in time."

Geography

It is customary to distinguish three physical-geographical regions of the state of Washington. The first is the Olympic Peninsula in the very west. The second is a rainy forest region, where the largest cities of Washington - and Tacoma are located. The third is the Columbian Plateau with an arid climate in the east, located behind the high ridge of the Northern Cascades, cut by the canyons of the Columbia River and its tributaries. The two most famous peaks of the Cascades are the highest point of the state stratovolcano Rainier (4392 m) and Mount St. Helens (2550 m). St. Helens - active volcano, whose catastrophic eruption in 1980 claimed the lives of 57 people and caused enormous damage to the nature and economy of the surrounding area. These volcanoes, as well as Baker, Glacier Peak, and Adams, are part of the volcanic Pacific Ring of Fire.
The natural eastern border of the state is the spurs of the majestic Rocky Mountains. There are many lakes with clear and transparent water in the river canyons of the state.

History

Even in ancient times, the northwestern part of the United States was one of the most densely populated territories. North America. Before the advent of Europeans, 125 tribes lived here, speaking 50 dialects. The largest tribes were Chinook, Lammy, Kinault, Makah, Skokomish. They fished for salmon and halibut, hunted whales and made large houses and long canoes from cedar trunks.
The first Europeans who saw the local coast were the Spaniards: in 1775, Captain Bruno de Heceta on board the ship "Santiago" declared this entire region the property of Spain. In 1778, the ship of the English navigator Captain James Cook (1728-1779) passed at the mouth of the Juan de Fuca Strait. But for the first time, the straits that now separate the state of Washington and British Columbia were explored in 1789 by the expedition of Captain Charles Barclay.
In the early 1790s. research was continued by the Spanish captains Manuel Quimper and Francisco Elisa, as well as the Englishman George Vancouver. In 1792, Captain Robert Gray discovered the mouth of the Columbia River.
In 1810, Canadian fur traders managed to penetrate from the north, through impenetrable forests and mountains, and founded the city of Spokane. In 1811, the Americans came here from the south and founded a trading post on the banks of the Okanogan River. Later, under the American-Spanish Treaty of Adams-Onis of 1819, the Spaniards renounced their claims to these lands, which were too far to the north. Then this territory, which was called the Oregon lands and was jointly owned, became the subject of a dispute between the United States and Great Britain. The territorial dispute was resolved in favor of the United States on June 15, 1846, when the Oregon Treaty was concluded: Oregon lands were divided along the 49th parallel, which became the border of the state and Canada.
In those years, the state economy lived off Agriculture- in particular, large apple orchards and logging. The situation changed dramatically during the famous California Gold Rush of 1848-1855, when a gold deposit was discovered in the Cascade Mountains in the northeast of the state. Crowds of prospectors poured in here, and the population increased dramatically.
In 1889 Washington became the 42nd state of the USA.
The state's economy was largely developed through military supplies during the Second World War, when Seattle became one of the main US ports in the Pacific theater of operations.

Nature

Evergreen trees grow in the forests of Washington state, and thanks to heavy rains, grasses and shrubs remain green. all year round. The relief is very diverse, for which it is also called the "land of contrasts": there are mountainous areas, river valleys and even semi-deserts. The Cascade Mountains stretch across the entire state from north to south, dividing it into maritime and sharply continental climate zones.

Majestic mountains and endless prairies are the wealth of the state of Washington, inherited from nature.
Washington State has benefited from its own prime location since its inception. big city, economic center and large seaport Seattle (founded in 1853), as well as the natural harbor of Puget Sound for trade with all countries of the Pacific Ocean. Gone are the days when the state traded only timber and apples. The current state of Washington is one of the most economically developed in the Western United States, where high-tech products are preferred. Here are the residences of the largest IT company Microsoft, the world's largest online store Amazon, the American branch of the video game manufacturer Nintendo, as well as the factories of Boeing, the world's largest aircraft manufacturer.
Washington State is also one of the leaders in the production of electricity in the United States: the cascade of dams on the Columbia River includes the Grand Coulee Dam, the largest in the United States and one of the largest in the world, and in total there are more than a thousand hydraulic structures designed for power generation and irrigation in the state. .
Washington is the second largest state in the west of the country after California and ranks 13th in terms of population in the United States. At the same time, 60% of residents live in the Seattle area and in the Puget Sound area on the Pacific coast, indented by many fjord bays. This uneven distribution of the population across the state is due to the difficult terrain and hot climate of the hinterland. Due to the features of the relief, the climate of the state changes dramatically from wet to dry from west to east, which gives the state a vivid identity and creates landscapes of amazing beauty and diversity. Small population and lack of major cities allowed to keep intact the virgin parts of the mountains and prairies.
To protect nature in the state of Washington, nature reserves have been created: National parks Olympic, Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Colville, Olympic, Gifford Pinchot National Forests.
Mount Rainier National Park is one of the oldest in the United States: it was founded in 1899 and became the fifth National Park in the United States. It is known for glaciers and waterfalls.
Olympic National Park, founded in 1938 thanks to the efforts of President Franklin Roosevelt (1882-1945), is located on the peninsula of the same name in the Pacific Ocean. The Olympic mountain range divides it into two parts. In the western part, in the Ho Valley, a tropical rainforest, rare for the continental United States, grows. This park with endemic flora and fauna preserved on this stretch of land, separated from the mainland by a strait in the pre-glacial period, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of the most famous natural features of the state of Washington is the 82 m high Snoqualmie Falls (30 m higher than Niagara Falls) on the river of the same name. According to Indian legend, the Creator Moon created the first man and woman here.
Most of the state's man-made attractions are located in and around Seattle. The symbols of Seattle are the 160 m high Space Needle tower, the vast University of Washington, Pike Place Market - one of the oldest fish markets in the United States, indian village Tillikum.

general information

Location: Pacific Northwest USA.

Official name: Washington state in the United States of America, official nickname: "Evergreen State".

US region: Far West.
Capital: city of Olympia - 46,478 people (2010).

Large settlements (persons, 2011): Seattle - 620 778, Spokane - 210 103, Tacoma - 203 397, Vancouver - 161 791, Bellevue - 124 798.

Administrative division: 39 districts (counties).

English language.

Ethnic composition: White 77.3%, Hispanic 9%, Asian 7.2%, African American 3.6%, Amerindian 1.5%, Polynesian 0.6%, Other 0.8% (2010 est.) ).
Religions: Protestantism, Catholicism, Judaism, Islam.

Currency unit: U.S. dollar.

Major rivers: Columbia, Snake, Okanogan.

Largest lake: Chelon.

Outer border: in the north - state border Canada (province of British Columbia); in the south is Oregon (USA), in the east is Idaho (USA).
Major port: Seattle.

International airports: Seattle/Tacoma, Bellingham.

Numbers

Area: 184,827 km2. 13th most populous, 18th largest US state.
Dimensions: from north to south - 400 km, from east to west - 580 km.
Population: 6,830,038 (2011).
Population density: 36.9 people / km 2.

Average height above sea level: 520 m

The most high point: mountain (volcano) Rainier (4392 m).

Climate and weather

Marine temperate - in the west, dry continental - in the east.

January average temperature:+6°С (Seattle, Pacific coast), -3°С (Spokane, east of the state).

July average temperature:+ 18°С (Seattle, Pacific coast), +20°С (Spokane, east of the state).

Average annual rainfall: 1000 mm - Seattle, 500 mm - Spokane.

Average annual air humidity: 85% - Seattle, 45% - Spokane.

Economy

GDP: $311.5 billion, 14th in the country (2007)
Minerals: zinc, lead, coal, gold, silver, uranium.

Industry: aircraft building, rocket building, shipbuilding, aluminum, copper smelting, machinery and equipment, biotechnology, pulp and paper, timber, fish canning; port industry (ocean port of Seattle); hydroelectric power.

Agriculture: cereals (wheat), horticulture, animal husbandry.

coastal fishing(salmon, halibut).
Service sector: information technology, financial services, tourism, transport.

Attractions

■ Cascade Mountains.
■ Rainier and St. Helens volcanoes.
■ Olympic Peninsula.
■ Columbia River.
■ Lakes Chelon and Reflection.
■ City of Seattle: Space Needle Tower (1962), University of Washington, Pike Place Market, Tillicum Indian Village.
■ Puget Sound Fjords.
■ Grand Coulee Dam.
■ Olympic, Mount Rainier, North Cascades National Parks.
■ Colville, Olympic, Gifford Pinchot National Forests.
■ Snoqualmie Falls.

Curious facts

■ Rainier Volcano is a dormant volcano whose last eruption took place about 150 years ago, but it is potentially very dangerous, because it is located in close proximity to large settlements- Seattle and other cities. But the most dangerous on the continental United States, of course, is not Mount Rainier, but the Yellowstone supervolcano in Wyoming.
■ Western Washington is one of the rainiest regions in the US. In this place, the effect of a "rain shadow" is created: sea air masses leave all the moisture on the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains, which contributes to the rapid growth of vegetation, more characteristic of a tropical climate.
■ Snoqualmie Falls opens the beginning of each episode of the cult television series Twin Peaks.
■ The people of Seattle are big fans of coffee, for which Seattle was nicknamed the "coffee capital of the United States." In 1971, the first Starbucks coffee shop opened in Seattle, which soon became the most popular coffee shop chain in the world.

■ Washington state has a higher percentage of non-believers than the nation as a whole. According to this indicator, Washington ranks second in the United States after Colorado.
■ The Kennewick Man is a prehistoric human skeleton found accidentally by teenagers on the banks of the Columbia River in 1996. The remains are estimated to be 9,300 years old. He attracted attention primarily by the dissimilarity of the structure of the skull and skeleton to the Americanoid type, which refutes the theory of complete racial homogeneity of the ancient settlement of the continent. Representatives of Indian tribes demanded that the remains be buried according to the custom of their ancestors under the Law for the Protection and Repatriation of Native American Graves, but scientists were able to question the relationship of Kennewick Man and the Indians.
■ Grunge is a musical genre, a kind of alternative rock that appeared in the mid-1980s. in Washington State, in Seattle. The brightest representative of grunge is the group of Kurt Cobain (1967-1994) "Nirvana".
■ There are currently 20 Indian reservations in Washington state.
■ Washington State is home to four of the five longest floating bridges in the world: Governor Albert D. Rossellini (Evergreen Point) (2,310 m long), Lacey W. Murrow Bridge (2,020 m long), Homer M. Hadley Bridge (length 1771 m) across Lake Washington and the Hood Canal bridge (length 2002 m) connecting the Olympia and Kitsap peninsulas.
■ Washington state symbols include the Olympic marmot, the American goldfinch, the American watchman dragonfly, and the square dance.

Seattle is one of the largest cities in the US. It is located in the far northwest of the country, in the state of Washington. Seattle (USA) is one of the most beautiful and comfortable cities in the world. It is surrounded by mountains and water spaces. Photos of Seattle (USA) testify to the beauty of the surroundings of the city.

General information

Seattle (USA) is the largest city in the northwestern part of the country and the state of Washington. On its territory is located major port. Lake Washington is relatively close to the city. The population is approximately 612 thousand people.

What time is it now in Seattle is 11 o'clock. When it's still midnight in Seattle, it's already 11 o'clock in the afternoon in Moscow.

There is a consulate of the Russian Federation in Seattle (USA).

History of the city

The first settlements in the region appeared in the second century BC. On the site of the modern metropolis, scattered villages of the Duvamish tribe were located, the alternative name of which is “the house of the sterlet”. On September 14, 1851, white men came to the mouth of the Duwamish River. A little later, another group of colonialists arrived in time, and rivalry began between them for the possession of this land.

The first white settlement was called Duwamps. Another smaller group formed a village called New York Alki. After several years of vying for supremacy in possession of the territory, the men from Duwamps won. One of the initiators of the creation of Duvamps since 1853 began to make efforts to give this settlement the status of a city, which was supposed to be called Seattle.

The word Seattle comes from the Native American Seattle. That was the name of the leader of the local tribe, who began to cooperate with the white colonists. Thus, the name Seattle became a way of thanking him for appearing on the map of the United States as early as 1855.

Among the well-known historical events Seattle most important were the following:

• The fight against the influx of Chinese migrants, which had the character of pogroms, fell on 1885 and 1886.
• A major fire in 1889, as a result of which the business center of the city turned into ashes, however, there were no casualties.
• At the turn of the century, the gold rush that broke out in the United States did not leave Seattle aside, which was used in the transportation of gold.
• The largest fair in 1909.
• Mass strike of workers in 1919, with calls for a revolution similar to that in Russia in 1917.
• Another great fair, which was called "EXPO of the 21st century", took place in 1962.
• Wa Mi gaming club massacre in which 13 people were killed (in 1983).
• APEC summit in 1993.
• World Trade Organization conference in 1990, during which mass protests were noted.

Geological features

Seattle is a US city located in a hilly area in the northwest of the country, relatively close to the Pacific coast. Nearby are related to mountain system Cordillera. They are located to the east of Seattle, while the Pacific Ocean is to the west.

Difficult terrain creates an increased risk of earthquakes. In the past, quite strong tremors were noted here. So, in 1700 there was a rather strong earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0. In the 20th century, aftershocks with a magnitude of up to 7.1 were recorded, which caused the death of several people. Scientists do not exclude the possibility of a repetition of events similar to the events of 1700, which will cause serious destruction in the city.

Climatic conditions

The city's location near the Pacific coast has a moderating effect on weather and climate. Seattle has a combination of oceanic and Mediterranean climates. Summer is much drier than autumn and winter. Cold air intrusions are blocked by the Cascade Mountains, while Pacific hurricanes are held back by the mountains of the Olympic Peninsula to the west.

The annual amount of precipitation is around 950 mm, which is less than in many other US cities, but still quite significant (by Russian standards) value. Modern global warming contributes to their increase. November is the rainiest month of the year.

At the same time, the number sunny days less here than in other American cities. Rains of weak and moderate intensity prevail, rarely heavy and very rarely with thunderstorms. In the southern and northern parts of the city, the amount of precipitation is higher, and showers occur more often. Such a variety of conditions is associated with the orographic features of the region.

The temperature background is fairly even throughout the year: cool summers gradually turn into relatively mild winters. In winter, most of the precipitation falls in the form of snow.

Population of Seattle

As in the entire northern United States, the predominant race in Seattle are representatives of English-speaking peoples. They constitute the so-called white population. Previously, this city held the record for the proportion of white people, for example, in 1960 they were 91.6%. However, already in 2010 this figure was only 69.5%. In the same year, the national average was 73.4%.

Such dynamics is largely related to the increased influx of migrants from other countries into the city. The total number of races and nationalities living in this city is also increasing. Arrive in Seattle from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, South-East Asia, Vietnam, Somalia, Cambodia, Samoa. The share of English speakers in the early 2000s was 78.9%.

The population of Seattle is constantly growing. This forces local authorities to adopt programs for the construction of high-rise housing.

city ​​economy

Seattle ranks 12th among the largest American cities in terms of economic development. The standard of living is also very high. Thus, the average income per person here is 30,306 dollars, and per family - 62,195 dollars. The income of men is much higher than that of women. At the same time, about 10 percent of the population still belong to the category of the poor, which obviously reflects the applied criteria for assessing this social phenomenon.

The number of homeless people in the Seattle area is about 8,000 people. Recently, work has been carried out to eliminate the homeless by providing them with permanent housing.

Transportation in Seattle

The most common form of public transport in the city is buses. There is practically no tram transport. At the same time, trolleybuses run, which is generally not typical for US cities. There are also passenger trains. Most residents prefer personal automobile transport. Public use only 18.6% of the total number of residents. However, in recent years the number of those who prefer public transport instead of personal, steadily growing.

Seattle is also considered very convenient for walking.

There are only two transit stations in the city highways. They cross it from north to south.

Attractions and interesting places in Seattle

Seattle is not resort town, and its history spans only a century and a half. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are not many interesting sights here. However, he still has his own "visiting cards" and interesting places that should be seen by those who like to visit such cities.

Space Needle

The most famous building in Seattle and its real calling card is the Space Needle skyscraper, which means "space needle" in English. This is a huge futuristic tower-building, located against the background of other high-rise buildings of the city, making up one single futuristic whole with them. The building was built in 1962. The height of the structure is not too impressive - only 184 meters, but at the same time it is one of the highest on

The tower is very stable and can withstand an earthquake up to 9 on the Richter scale, as well as any hurricane. Protection against lightning strikes is also decent - as many as 25 lightning rods. Anyone can film a lightning strike on the tower, as they strike there very often.

At an altitude of 165 m, there is a restaurant called SkyCity, as well as a place for viewing the surroundings and a large souvenir shop. From there you can see the whole of Seattle and even the surrounding area.

Although the tower is a symbol of the future and the embodiment of futuristic ideas, it also bears the imprint of the time when it was built. It was in the 60s of the 20th century that structures of this type were erected, which reflects the engineering thought of that time. It is also the embodiment of the optimism that prevailed at that time about the future of America.

downtown Seattle

The city center is actively visited by visitors. Therefore, it is always crowded here. Especially often people come to Pioneer Square. Popular restaurants, shops, cafes and art galleries are located in this fashionable area.

Tourists especially like the so-called "underground quarter". It appeared after in 1889, after a large-scale fire, the city authorities decided to raise the level of the earth's surface by one floor. The old floor turned out to be underground and is now listed as minus one. Thus, this underground floor turned out to be more ancient. Now the "underground quarter" is used as a natural museum.

In the center of Seattle there are a large number of bakeries, bakeries and coffee shops. It even houses the headquarters of the worldwide chain of coffee houses. A variety of restaurants and cafes offer a variety of cuisines. national cuisines. Especially a lot of fish and seafood here, which is associated with the location of the city near the Pacific Ocean and its bays.

Old Pike Place Market

This place is located near the waterfront, close to Pioneer Square. This is the oldest market in the USA. The date of its foundation is 1907. The market is located in a six-story structure, which has a stepped shape and descends to the embankment.

Antiques and various souvenirs are sold on the ground floors, and books and seafood are sold on the upper floors. Also on the upper floors are artisan shops and homemade stages of street performers. In addition to them, there are also clowns and singers.

city ​​embankment

The embankment is equipped in a classic American style. There is a large Ferris wheel, souvenir shops, restaurants and piers with yachts. There are benches near the shore. Sitting comfortably, you can just relax, watching sea birds, swaying water surface, various ships sailing through the waters of the bay. It is well visible from the embankment and the opposite coast, including Mount Olympic.

At pier number 59 you can see one of the best giant aquariums in the world. A lot of fish, crustaceans, jellyfish, mammals, mollusks and other marine life swim in it. And to try them by touch, you need to proceed to a special pool.

Other interesting place is the old city port. A scientific and research center called "Odysseus" is located here. It conducts interactive excursions, becoming a member of which, you can expand your horizons by getting acquainted with life at sea. They are suitable for people of all ages.

The Seattle waterfront is also known for the largest ferry network in America. Ferries transport people to various points along the coast of Puget Sound. And the size of the ferries themselves are simply huge.

Skyscraper Columbia Center

Columbia Center is the most tall building in Seattle. If we take the entire western part of the United States, then it will be in second place in this indicator. The height of the building is 285 meters, plus 10 m - the antenna on the roof. However, in reality, the skyscraper is even larger, since in addition to 76 high-rise floors, there are also 7 underground ones.

This building is mainly used as an office center. On the 73rd floor there is an observation platform from which both the city itself and its surroundings are clearly visible. Conference rooms and restaurants are located on the 75th and 76th floors.

The building is also used for sports competitions. The task is to walk up to the 69th floor.

Museums of the city

Seattle has a large number of museums. Unlike their Russian provincial counterparts, these are bright and richly decorated establishments that will appeal to all lovers of contemporary art.

The most famous was the EMP Museum (Experience Music Project), which is unusual building, from above it looks like a part of an electronic device, and from the front it looks like something covered with oilcloth. It is also called the center of music in Seattle (USA). The building is located next to the Space Needle. There are many exhibits dedicated to video games, science fiction, music and other similar topics. Some of the exhibitions are interactive.

In addition, visitors can try themselves as a musician and see a giant composition in the form of a frozen tornado, consisting of five hundred guitars and other instruments of musical art. This is a real museum of music in Seattle (USA).

Another significant similar institution is Here you can see exhibitions of various aircraft, balloons and others aircraft. Starting from the earliest and ending with modern ones. The collection of aircraft has no analogues in the world in size.

Those who wish can visit museums such as Microsoft, the museum of the police, dolls, glass and many others. In addition to them, the city has a large number of theaters, exhibitions and various galleries.

The most famous theater in Seattle is Zinzanni. A prerequisite for visiting this institution is to be in smart clothes. The building itself is quite old and made in oriental style. In addition to performances, musicals, concerts, film screenings, circus performances and cabaret shows are staged here. The building has a restaurant. The price of a ticket is significant - about 100 dollars. Despite this, there are always huge queues behind them.

Quite unusual for a large American city in Seattle (USA) looks like a monument to Lenin, installed in one of the provincial districts. The monument, small in size, is nevertheless the largest monument in the United States to the famous Soviet leader. He appeared here a couple of decades ago, being brought from Slovakia.

The city and state of Washington as a whole has a large number of churches, including the US Salvation Church (Seattle).

A very common mistake is the belief that the capital - the city of Washington - is located in a state that has the same name. On the geography exam, such an answer will be regarded as unsatisfactory. Because the state of Washington is located very far from where the capital of the United States is located. Even if for someone this fact is a sensation.

Geographic Facts

The state of Washington is located on the Pacific coast of the country. This is the extreme northwestern territory of the continental United States, if you do not take into account Alaska, located apart. The state of Washington is bordered to the north by the Canadian province, as well as to the south and Idaho to the east. Administrative capital state is the city of Olympia, and the largest and in many ways remarkable city is Seattle. In terms of area, Washington State ranks eighteenth in the nation. Climatically, the territory of the state belongs to middle lane and comfortable enough to live in any season of the year.

From the history of the state

Europeans reached these remote areas on the Pacific coast only in the second half of the eighteenth century. These were the Spaniards, and a little later - the British. The coast of the strait separating the territory of the modern state of Washington from what was later called British Columbia, was studied and mapped by the famous British navigator James Cook. Beginning in 1819, this stretch of coast was controlled by the United States and was part of the territory referred to as "Oregon". In 1854, the northern part of this territory separated into the Autonomous District of Columbia, which was later renamed in honor of one of the so-called "founding fathers" of the North American United States, George Washington. But the territory received the status of a full-fledged US state only on November 11, 1889, after some changes in the borders. Thus, the state of Washington became the forty-second state in the country.

Nature

Washington State is well known to all fans of Hollywood cinematography. His visual image is involved in many films. Suffice it to recall only the popular in many countries of the world saga about vampires "Twilight". Her heroes live among the mountains and forests of this state. mountain ranges covers much of the American Northwest. The expressive natural landscape, combined with a relatively mild Pacific climate, provides the state with not only comfortable living conditions, but also a high potential for tourism development. The largest cities in the state of Washington are concentrated in the Pacific coastal strip, which is characterized by a milder climate. In mountainous areas during the winter season there are intense snowfalls and snowdrifts. This circumstance makes some mountain passes and selected sections of freeways.

Economy and transport

Peripherality geographical location state had a decisive influence on the development of its industrial and transport infrastructure. Washington is always referred to as the most distant territory from the center. Which state is next? In the continental part of the country - only Alaska. The outlying position of the state and the complex nature of the terrain, characteristic of most of its territory, required a serious approach and significant financial investments in the development of transport communications that provide communication with the center of the country and with the Canadian province in the north. Access to the Pacific Ocean predetermined the development of the state of Washington as the most important center of domestic and international shipping. For this purpose, a developed port infrastructure has been built along the entire coast. The Northwest of the United States is known for its level of high technology development. In particular, the main production facilities of the Boeing Corporation are located here. On a significant part of aviation and space technology around the world, you can find the mark "Washington State, USA". The state's industry is dominated by electronics and engineering. software. In particular, in the city of Redmond, in the suburbs of Seattle, is the corporation "Microsoft". The state's economy is actively exploiting its natural recreational potential. Tourists willingly go to the west coast both from areas located in the depths of the continental space, and from many other countries of the world.

Seattle

This Washington was founded in 1851. The name of the settlement was named after an influential Indian leader, who enjoyed authority both among Native Americans and settlers from the east. Currently, Seattle is one of the largest commercial, industrial, scientific and cultural centers of the entire west coast United States of America. This city on the Pacific coast has its own bright and unique visual image and lifestyle. The pace of Seattle's economy in the second half of the nineteenth century, among other things, was provided by a large stock of untapped natural resources of the Pacific coast. The famous "gold rush" also had a positive effect on the development of the city. It was the starting point from which numerous gold diggers headed for Alaska. And some of them came back with rich booty. Currently, the city's economy, like the entire state of Washington, is associated with the development of maritime trade, shipbuilding and high technology.

Architectural features of Seattle

In terms of tourism, this is the most attractive city in the north of the west coast. The city has many attractions. most famous tourist attraction The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World's Fair. With its panoramic observation deck offers a magnificent view of the city and its surroundings. The architecture of the business center of the city is peculiar, the skyscrapers of which compete with other American cities in terms of height and, at the same time, are favorably distinguished by the exclusivity of design solutions.