Seattle, the Emerald city, sits on the shores of Puget Sound surrounded by mountains to the east and west. Lovely views of blue waters and snow capped peaks seem to appear everywhere - around the next bend in the road or between the buildings downtown.

The beauty of the Pacific Northwest is captured in the many parks of Seattle, clothed in a rich greenery of the lovely plants and flowers that grow easily in the mild climate (summers of 75 - 85 degrees, winters of 35 - 55 degrees). Many of Seattle's parks offer view vistas, sandy beaches, grassy knolls for picnics, or trails to explore.

Originally settled in the 1850s, Seattle developed rapidly when it became the ideal staging post for the Klondike gold prospectors heading for Alaska in the late 19th century. Today, the "Emerald City" is the home of the major aircraft manufacturer Boeing and numerous hi-tech companies such as Microsoft.

The fashionable waterfront area, with its sought-after residences, restaurants and houseboats, is a particular magnet for tourists.

A favourite holiday destination with middle to upmarket American couples, mature family groups and coffee lovers, although often outnumbered by the business fraternity.

Locality:

Seattle is located in the NW United States, in the W-central part of Washington State (145 mls S of Vancouver, Canada and 15 mls N of Tacoma international airport). The Cascade Mountains rise beyond the suburbs of Seattle to the E. The city sits largely on a hilly rise, dropping steeply on the coastal side.