Page 24 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Pacific Northwest

22  INTRODUCING THE P A CIFIC NOR THWEST

incorporated striking new architecture
into a landscape dominated by
mountains and inlets.
Of course, the residents of each city
tend to claim that theirs is the most
beautiful and livable in the Pacific
Northwest, if not in all of North America.
Each has its own unique virtues. Portland
takes first place for careful urban planning,
for containing urban sprawl, and for
preserving a charming small-town
atmosphere. Seattle, with its imposing
skyline, is the largest of the three cities.
Well-known for its high-tech industries,
it also offers a vibrant music and the ater
Local hikers on a trail near Bellingham, Washington scene. Cosmopolitan Vancouver, nestled
between the Strait of Georgia and the
heavy socks, khaki shorts, and flannel shirt) Coast Mountains, arguably enjoys the
year-round and enthusiastically embrace best setting.
the outdoors. The region offers some
of the world’s best white-water rafting, Art and Culture
kayaking, hiking, skiing, fishing, scuba Long gone are the days when the Pacific
diving, windsurfing, and rock climbing. Northwest was considered a poor country
For those who prefer more placid pursuits, cousin in terms of the arts. Highly regarded
such as sitting beside a still mountain and wide-ranging collections of art now
lake or a rushing stream, or strolling hang in many museums throughout the
along a remote surf-pounded beach, the region, and excellent concert halls and
opportunities here are seemingly endless. other venues play host to world-renowned
orchestras and performing artists, and to
City Life stellar home-grown talent. Unforgettable
All this natural beauty experiences such as a
provides a backdrop for classical concert beneath
the urban sophistication a canopy of ponderosa
of the Pacific Northwest’s pines at the annual Britt
three major cities, Portland, Festivals in Jacksonville,
Seattle, and Vancouver. Oregon; an evening of
Here residents have worked jazz with a sunset back-
together to preserve the drop of Seattle’s Elliott
scenic virtues and old Bay; or a Shakespeare
quarters of their cities play at a waterfront
while accommodating park in Vancouver, bring
new growth. Portland has artistic flair to some of the
converted much of its most spectacular settings
downtown riverfront into in the world.
parkland and laid the tracks Portlanders relaxing at a local café
of an efficient rapid transit and wine bar Economy and Industry
system. Due to the efforts While the economies
of residents, Seattle has restored its of the major cities are healthy, the
historic Pike Place Market, the colorful and interior regions are suffering from high
quirky heart of the city, and Vancouver has unemployment as traditional industries

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