Puget Sound
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Puget Sound is an arm (sound) of the Pacific Ocean in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It extends from the southern end of Whidbey Island to Olympia, Washington. The surrounding area, which includes five of the seven largest cities in Washington state (Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Federal Way, and Bellevue), is home to about 4 million people.
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History
Image:Edward S. Curtis Collection People 047.jpgThe Native American name for Puget Sound in the Lushootseed language, used by the regional Native Americans tribes, is "Whulge". Its current name was given by George Vancouver for Lieutenant Peter Puget, who explored its southern end in May 1792. Vancouver claimed it for Great Britain on June 4, 1792. It became part of the Oregon Country, and became U.S. territory when the 1846 Oregon Treaty was signed.
Originally, the name Puget Sound only referred to the southern reaches beyond Poverty Bay explored by Peter Puget, and the central and northern reaches familiar to Washington State Ferry riders was called Admiralty Inlet. Today Admiralty Inlet only refers to the strait between Whidbey Island and Point No Point on the Kitsap Peninsula. But on a modern nautical chart Admiralty Inlet is a distinct body of water from the Puget Sound. The northern border of the Puget Sound on the East is formed by Possession Sound which separates Whidbey Island from Everett, Washington.
Due to the migration along the Oregon Trail, many settlers wandered north to what is now Washington State and settled the Puget Sound area. The first settlement was New Market (now known as Tumwater) in 1846. In 1853 the Northern Pacific railroad line reached Puget Sound, linking the region to the other states. During that same year Washington Territory was formed from part of Oregon Territory.
For a long period Tacoma was noted for its large smelters where gold, silver, copper and lead ores were treated. Seattle was the primary port for trade with Alaska and the rest of the country and for a time possessed a large ship-building industry. The region around eastern Puget Sound developed heavy industry during the period including World War I and World War II, and the Boeing Company became an established icon in the area.
During World War II the Puget Sound area became a focus for the war industry, with Boeing producing many of the nation's heavy bombers and the ports of Seattle, Bremerton and Tacoma available for shipbuilding.
Geology
The United States Geological Survey defines Puget Sound as a bay with numerous channels and branches.
Puget Sound is a very large salt water estuary fed by freshwater from the Olympic and Cascade Mountain watersheds. It extends from the southern end of Whidbey Island to Olympia, Washington.; the northern boundary is Whidbey Island; at a second entrance between Whidbey Island and Mukilteo, Washington forming the southern boundary of Possession Sound. [1]
A unique state-run ferry system, the Washington State Ferries, connects the larger islands to the Washington mainland, as well as both sides of the sound, allowing cars and people to move about the greater Puget Sound region.
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Environment
Main article: Puget Sound environmental issues
Geography
The urban region of the same name is centered around Seattle, Washington and consists of nine counties, two urban center cities and four satellite cities. Both urban core cities have large industrial areas and seaports plus a high-rise central business district. The satellite cities are primarily suburban, featuring a small downtown core and a small industrial area or port. The suburbs consist mostly of residences, strip malls, and shopping centers. The region is also home to numerous ports. The two largest and busiest are the Port of Seattle and Tacoma, which, if combined, comprise the second largest container port in North America after Los Angeles/Long Beach. The Port of Vancouver, the largest Canadian port, sits on the northern end of the Greater Puget Sound Area.
Counties
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- Island County
- Jefferson County
- King County
- Kitsap County
- Mason County
- Pierce County
- Skagit County
- Snohomish County
- Thurston County
In addition, the San Juan Islands (all of San Juan County plus a few islands belonging to Whatcom County) are often considered part of the greater Puget Sound area.
Prominent islands
- Anderson Island
- Bainbridge Island
- Blake Island
- Camano Island
- Fidalgo Island
- Fox Island
- Hartstene Island
- Indian Island
- Marrowstone Island
- Maury Island
- McNeil Island
- Squaxin Island
- Whidbey Island
- Vashon Island
Urban centers
Satellite cities
- Everett is in the greater Puget Sound Region but it is in truth on Possession Sound.
- Bellevue
- Bremerton
