Seattle: An Introduction to The Emerald City

The city of Seattle is located in the U.S. state of Washington. It is about 100 miles south of the U.S.-Canadian border.

Seattle (See-attle) is named after the Native American leader, Chief Seattle (the name is pronounced something like See-ahlsh).

The city of Seattle is at sea level, and 41% of its water is within city limits.

Seattle is hilly (built upon seven distinct hills--many divided into neighborhoods) and green (Washington is, in fact, the Evergreen State).

Seattle is in the Pacific Standard Time Zone.

There are many different bodies of water in and surrounding Seattle: lakes, streams, creeks, and other waterways.

Seattle's official nickname is Emerald City, but it is also known as: the Gateway to Alaska, Rainy City, Jet City, and Queen City.

• Coffee: Starbucks, coffee shops, $5 lattes, Tully's, Seattle's Best Coffee
• Grunge: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, long hair, flannel shirts
• Rain: mmhmm...rain city.
• Industry: Microsoft, Boeing
• Landmarks: Space Needle, EMP (Experience Music Project), Pike Place Market
• Home to Famous: Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Lee, Frances Farmer, Kurt Cobain, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Kenny G, and, like the beat, the list goes on.

During a trip to Seattle, it might rain the whole time, or it could be gloriously sunny. You can choose from any number of things to do: explore art museums, attend a poetry slam, see a live concert on a street corner, tour the local library. There are coffee shops on every corner, funky neighborhoods waiting to be explored, and handmade jewelry for sale everywhere you turn around. You can go kayaking, skiing, hiking, bicycling, swimming, sailing, or take an aerial tour of the area.

You can lounge all day on a beach. Or, visit the many parks. You can try to catch fish at Pike Place Market, or pose next to the staute of Jimi Hendrix (be careful not to knock the cigarette a fan left burning out of his fingers). The possibilities are endless...

Learn about the schools in Seattle by clicking here.