Geography

Seattle is surrounded by two large lakes, two major mountain ranges, and the Puget Sound. The San Juan Islands and the Pacific Ocean are a short drive away. The greater Seattle area is home to 2.7 million people. 86% of residents have a college degree, and 38% are between 25 and 44 years of age. The city receives less annual rainfall than New York, San Francisco, and Atlanta. The average high temperature during July is 75F, and temperatures drop below freezing about 15 days per year.

Local Industry

Biotech is one of the area's most prominent industries. US News and World Report has rated the University of Washington Hospital as one of the 10 best hospitals in the United States. Another premiere facility, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, is also located in Seattle. The local biotech industry provides nearly 5,000 jobs with over 60 companies, annually generating more than $500 million of Washington's economy. It is projected that within 4 years, the local biotech industry will employ over 12,000 people and generate approximately $3.5 billion every year.

Additional local industry includes Boeing, the world's largest aircraft manufacturer and the United States' number-one exporter. Microsoft, the world's largest software company, is one of 1,500 computer development firms in the area. Alaska Airlines, Amazon.com, Starbucks Coffee, REI, Nintendo of America, Safeco Insurance, and the Weyerhaeuser Company round out the list of top local companies.

Recreation and the Arts

Nearby wilderness areas offer opportunities for hiking, sailing, mountain climbing, skiing, and snowboarding. Seattle's major league sports teams include Seahawks football, Mariners baseball, SuperSonics basketball, and WNBA team The Seattle Storm, plus Thunderbirds hockey.

Seattle is home to the Seattle Opera and Seattle Symphony, the Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Seattle Art Museum, numerous art galleries, and over 80 theater companies. Seattle is famous for its fresh seafood and boasts more than 2,000 restaurants.