• Where is Seattle located?
    • A seaport city situated on the west coast, right in the northwestern tip of the United States, Seattle is one of the nation's largest and best-known cities.
  • What are Seattle's nicknames?
    • Nicknamed 'Rain City' and 'The Emerald City', Seattle is the biggest city in Washington and the surrounding Pacific Northwest area.
  • How close is Seattle to Canada?
    • Seattle is just 100 miles away from the United States-Canada border.
  • How large is Seattle?
    • Seattle covers an area of just over 142 square miles.
  • What is the population of Seattle?
    • Seattle has an estimated population of around 725,000 people.
  • How big is the Seattle metropolitan area?
    • The surrounding metropolitan area has a population of approximately 3.87 million.

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1. Seattle History and Things to Know

Seattle History and Things to Know

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  • Who lived in Seattle before European settlers arrived?
    • The area that was set to become Seattle was inhabited by Native American tribes for many years before European colonists and settlers arrived.
  • Who founded Seattle?
    • The city was partly founded by Arthur A. Denny, who led the 'Denny Party' to the area in 1851.
  • How did Seattle get its name?
    • The city was given the name of Seattle to honor a local Native American leader called Chief Si'ahl.
  • What was Seattle's original industry?
    • At first, Seattle was a simple logging town.
  • How did Seattle become a commercial hub?
    • With the development of ships and trade routes, it became a key commercial hub.
    • It served as a perfect link between the United States and Alaska during the famous Klondike Gold Rush.
  • What is Seattle known for today?
    • Seattle is well-known as a cultural and business hub for the Pacific Northwest.
  • Which major companies were founded in Seattle?
    • Boeing, the world-famous manufacturer of airplanes and rockets, was set up in the city.
    • Other major global companies that made their headquarters in Seattle include Microsoft and Amazon.
  • What is Seattle's influence on music?
    • Seattle has played a key role in music over the years.
    • It is the birthplace of bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, as well as the legendary Jimi Hendrix.

2. Elevation of Seattle

Elevation of Seattle

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  • What does elevation tell us?
    • The elevation of a town, city, monument, mountain, or other key location around the world tells us how high it is in relation to sea level and can be a very important geographical statistic for a variety of reasons.
  • Why is measuring elevation in Seattle challenging?
    • Measuring elevation in Seattle is challenging as the city has some places that are much higher up than others.
  • What is the highest point in Seattle?
    • The highest point in the city of Seattle has an elevation of 520 feet (158 m).
  • What is the lowest point in Seattle?
    • The lowest point is out on the water, which has the same elevation as sea level.
  • What is the average elevation of Seattle?
    • The average elevation of Seattle is generally calculated to be around 170 feet (52 m).
  • Do coastal cities tend to have low elevations?
    • Many major cities around the United States, especially those that are situated in coastal locations like Seattle, tend to have quite low elevations as they're so near the sea.
    • This is true of places like New York City and Los Angeles, for example.
  • What is the highest town in Washington State?
    • Back in the state of Washington, the highest town is Waterville, located in Douglas County and sitting at an elevation of 2,622 feet (799 m).
  • What is the mean elevation of Washington State?
    • The state itself has a mean elevation of 1,700 feet (520 m), so Seattle's elevation is much lower than the state average.
  • What is the highest point in Washington State?
    • The highest point in all of Washington State is Mount Rainier, which is the highest mountain in the Cascade Range in the Pacific Northwest and has an elevation of 14,417 feet (4,394 m).
  • What is the lowest point in Washington State?
    • The lowest point in the state of Washington is technically the Pacific Ocean, which is at sea level.
  • How does Seattle’s elevation compare to other major cities in Washington?
    • Other major cities in the state include:
    • Spokane, which has an elevation of 1,843 feet (562 m).
    • Tacoma, which has an elevation of 243 feet (74 m).
    • Vancouver, which has an elevation of 171 feet (52 m).
    • Compared to all of these cities, Seattle has a lower elevation on average.

3. Seattle Climate and Elevation

Seattle Climate and Elevation

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  • What type of climate does Seattle have?
    • The city of Seattle has a temperate marine climate, also known as an oceanic climate, due to its low elevation and proximity to the Pacific Ocean.
  • What are Seattle's winters like?
    • Seattle has relatively cool winters with a lot of precipitation.
  • What are Seattle's summers like?
    • Seattle has dry, warm summers.
  • Why is Seattle called 'Rain City'?
    • The city earned its nickname of 'Rain City' due to the large amount of rain that falls through the colder months of the year like November, December, and January.
    • Seattle receives an average total of around 37.5 inches of rainfall per year.
  • Does it snow in Seattle?
    • Some snow can also fall in Seattle if the temperatures drop low enough.
  • What is the warmest month in Seattle?
    • The warmest month of the year is July, with average highs of 91°F (33°C).
  • What is the coldest month in Seattle?
    • The coldest month of the year is December, when the average lows drop down to 41°F (5°C).
  • Why is Seattle significant?
    • Seattle is the largest city in its home state and the surrounding Pacific Northwest area, making it a major cultural and touristic hub.
  • What are some must-visit landmarks in Seattle?
    • The iconic Space Needle is a great place to visit for incredible panoramic views of the city skyline.
    • Other landmarks and must-visit locations include:
    • The waterfront
    • Lake Union
    • Pike Place Market
  • What types of activities can be enjoyed in Seattle?
    • Both urban activities like clubs and shows and more nature-based recreation like hiking and kayaking can be enjoyed in the Seattle area.

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