Among US cities, Seattle is one of the largest. 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. There is a large port on its territory. Lake Washington is relatively close to the city. The population is approximately 612 thousand people.
What time is it in Seattle (USA)? The time difference with Moscow is 11 hours. When it's still midnight in Seattle, it's already 11 pm in Moscow.
The date of foundation of the metropolis is November 13, 1851. Many celebrities are associated with the city, and the spread of higher education here is unusually large. Seattle is the birthplace of American coffeehouses and the birthplace of grunge music.
The consulate of the Russian Federation is present in Seattle (USA).
History of the city
The first settlements in the region where Seattle is located date back to 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, 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 Native American Seattle. That was the name of the leader of the local tribe, who began to cooperate with the white colonists. So the name Seattle became a way of thanking him for it. The city appeared on the map of the United States as early as 1855.
Among Seattle's famous historical events, the following were the most significant:
- The fight against the influx of Chinese migrants, which had the character of pogroms, fell on 1885 and 1886.
- Major fire in 1889, which reduced the business center of the city to ashes, but there were no casu alties.
- At the turn of the century, the gold rush that broke out in the States did not leave aside Seattle, whichwas used in the transportation of gold.
- The biggest fair of 1909.
- Massive workers' strike in 1919, calling for a revolution similar to the one in Russia in 1917.
- Another great fair called "EXPO of the 21st century" took place in 1962.
- Wah 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 the Cascade Mountains, belonging to the Cordillera mountain system. They are 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, shocks 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 blockedThe Cascade Mountains, while Pacific hurricanes are held back by the mountains of the Olympic Peninsula to the west.
Annual 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. The rainiest month of the year is November.
At the same time, the number of sunny days here is less 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 as snow.
Seattle population
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 there 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 due 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. Arriving in Seattle from Hong Kong, ContinentalChina, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Somalia, Cambodia, Samoa. The proportion of English speakers in the early 2000s was 78.9%.
The population of Seattle is constantly growing. This is forcing 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, and per family - $62,195. 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 Seattle County is about 8,000 people. Recently, work has been carried out to eliminate the homeless by providing them with permanent housing.
Transport 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 vehicles. Public use only 18, 6% of the total number of residents. However, in recent years, the number of those who prefer public transport over private has been steadily growing.
Seattle is also considered very walkable.
There are only two in the citytransit highways. They cross it from north to south.
Sights and places of interest in Seattle
Seattle is not a 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 "calling 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 hallmark is the Space Needle skyscraper, which means "space needle" in English. This is a huge futuristic building tower, 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 tallest on the west coast of the United States.
The tower is very resistant 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 a height of 165 m, there is a restaurant called SkyCity, as well as a place for viewing the surroundings and a large gift 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. Exactlyin the 60s of the 20th century, structures of this type were erected, which reflects the engineering thought of that time. It is also the epitome of the optimism that prevailed at the 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 trendy 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.
Downtown Seattle is home to a large number of bakeries, bakeries and coffee shops. It even houses the headquarters of the worldwide chain of coffee houses. In a variety of restaurants and cafes, you can taste dishes of different 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 Market Pike Place
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.
On the first floors they sell antiques and various souvenirs, and on the upper floors there is a sale of books andseafood. 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 furnished in 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.
On Pier 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 taste them by touch, you need to proceed to a special pool.
Another 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 America's largest ferry network. Ferries transport people to various points along the coast of Puget Sound. And the ferries themselves are huge.
Columbia Center Skyscraper
Columbia Center is the tallest building in Seattle. If we take the entire western part of the United States, then it will be in second place in this indicator. Building height 285meters, plus 10 m - 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 EMP Museum (Experience Music Project), which is an unusual building, from above looks like a part of an electronic device, and from the front looks like something covered with oilcloth, has become most famous. 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.
Besides, 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 music museum in Seattle (USA).
Another significant institution of this kind is the Aviation Museum. Here you can see exhibitions of various aircraft, balloons andother aircraft. Starting from the earliest and ending with modern ones. The collection of aircraft is unique in size in the world.
Those who wish can visit such museums as "Microsoft", a museum of 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 ticket price is significant - about 100 dollars. Despite this, there are always huge lines behind them.
Other places of interest in Seattle
Quite unusual for a large American city in Seattle (USA) looks like a monument to Lenin, installed in one of the provincial districts. Small in size, the monument is nevertheless the largest monument in the United States to the famous Soviet leader. He appeared here a couple of decades ago, having been brought from Slovakia.
There are a large number of churches in the city and state of Washington in general, including the US Salvation Church (Seattle).
