​About Seattle

Seattle, Washington is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million people is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the US.  The city is a major seaport situated on a narrow isthmus between Puget Sound (an arm of the Pacific Ocean) and Lake Washington.

​Seattle area had been inhabited by Native Americans for at least 4,000 years before the first permanent European settlers. Arthur A. Denny and his group of travelers arrived at Alki Point on November 13, 1851. The settlement was renamed "Seattle" in 1853, after Chief Seattle of the local Duwamish and Squamish tribes.

Logging was Seattle's first major industry, but by the late 19th century the city had become a commercial and shipbuilding center. Trade and commercial aircraft manufacturing fuelled the city’s growth into the early to mid 20th century. While trade remains a vital local economy today, the 1980s through 2000s saw Seattle develop into a technology hub encompassing software, internet, telecommunications, and biotechnology industries. More recently, Seattle has become a hub for "green" industry and a model for sustainable development.         

​An international destination, Seattle boasts an impressive history of jazz to rock music scenes, international cuisine, coffee, and art and culture. Seattle is also home to the Port of Seattle and leading corporations including Starbucks, Microsoft, Boeing, T-Mobile, Amazon, and Costco.

Public Market Center at Pike Place, downtown Seattle.

Boeing's 787 and 747 manufacturing facility in Everett, WA.

Space Needle built in 1962 to celebrate Seattle's World Fair.

Celebrating diversity at the Rainier Heritage Parade & Festival.