Page 23 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Pacific Northwest

INTRODUCING THE P A CIFIC NOR THWEST  21

A PORTRAIT OF THE

PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Some of North America’s most rugged and spectacular terrain unfolds across
the Pacific Northwest. Settled by Europeans barely 150 years ago, the region
has cradled Native cultures for thousands. The region is now also home to three
of the continent’s most sophisticated cities – Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver –
all of them surrounded by soaring mountains, dense forests, and sparkling water.
The Pacific Northwest, comprising Oregon, coastal rainforests – remains intact to
Washington, and British Columbia, is richly offer a welcome escape from the stresses
varied – with its desert, mountain, and of the 21st century.
seashore landscapes, its mild and extreme Another characteristic of the Pacific
climates, and a cosmopolitan mix of Northwest is its infamous weather. It can
cultures and ethnicities. The region indeed rain for days on end here, but the
straddles two nations – the US and weather varies as much as the topography
Canada – and comprises 526,000 sq miles does. Whereas west of the mountains the
(1,362,240 sq km), making it larger than north Pacific Ocean currents ensure wet
France, Germany, and Italy combined. and mild winters and pleasant summers,
The one quality that characterizes all of the an entirely different climate prevails east
Pacific Northwest is its natural beauty, the of the mountains. On the eastern plateaus
result of eons of geological activity that has and steppes, temperatures dip to well
left the region with lofty mountains, deep below freezing in the winter, often
gorges, rocky shorelines, and mighty rivers. accompanied by heavy snow, and soar
in the summer. In the central mountain
Natural Wonders region, inland deserts experience harsh
The call of the wild is the draw for winters – resulting in frequent road
many travelers to the Pacific Northwest. closures – and dry hot summers.
Although highways, suburban sprawl,
large-scale ranching, logging, dams, Outdoor Activities
and other encroachments have all had a Pacific Northwesterners claim to enjoy
negative impact on this great wilderness, their cloudy skies and drizzly days. In
enough of its many natural wonders – defiance of the elements, many residents
such as 800-year-old Sitka spruce in the adopt a rugged look (hiking boots and

Sailboats in a regatta held on the waters of Burrard Inlet, British Columbia
The gorgeous Crater Lake on a summer day, Oregon

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