Seattle and the Pacific Northwest

Students at the University of Washington are fortunate to live in a region with remarkable natural wonders, diverse cultural amenities and a mild climate. As the nation's 21st largest metropolis, Seattle is a short drive from an impressive array of outdoor activities, while the city itself boasts numerous theater companies, several professional sports teams, and a large arts community. Such diversity of opportunities is one reason why Seattle has been named the most livable city in the United States four times.

Seattle is surrounded by both mountain and water views. Built on seven hills overlooking Puget Sound, it is surrounded by the rugged Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascade Range to the east.

The surrounding waters temper Seattle's climate. Extreme heat or cold is infrequent and of short duration and the daily temperature variation is also slight. Winter temperatures seldom dip below freezing and summers usually are in the mid 70's to low 80's. Rain predominates in the winter and early spring months; Seattle has an average annual rainfall of 36 inches. Snow is rare, except in the nearby mountains.

Seattle's cultural community has earned an international reputation with such fine groups as the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Opera Association, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Art Museum, Pacific Northwest Ballet and ACT Theatre.

Seattle's professional major league teams-the Seahawks (football), the Mariners (baseball) and the Sonics (basketball)-provide Seattle residents with plenty of spectator sports action. The University also boasts several highly successful sports programs, including football, women's basketball and rowing.

Weekends in Seattle are filled with music festivals, street fairs, rock concerts, arts and crafts shows, ethnic celebrations, exhibits, regattas, runs and food fairs. The City of Seattle also maintains 5,000 acres of rich and diverse beaches and parklands for leisure and recreational pursuits. Ball fields and tennis courts are plentiful. Paths abound for jogging, strolling, roller-blading and biking. A path around nearby Green Lake and the fourteen mile Burke Gilman Trail on the shores of Lake Washington are just two opportunities for these activities near the University.

The Pacific Northwest is also headquarters to a number of the world's most famous corporations, including Boeing, Microsoft, Nintendo, Paccar, Fluke, ELDEC, ATL, AT&T Wireless, Intel and Weyerhaeuser. Seattle is an internationally recognized center for trade, education, medical care and research, and high-tech manufacturing. Among the area's manufacturers, you'll find hundreds of firms of varying sizes that make software and hardware, biomedical and electronic instruments, and pharmaceuticals. These companies are a ready resource for PEMM, providing student internships, field studies, research problems, and employment opportunities.

For more information on Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, please visit the following web pages: Official Seattle Homepage, Homepage for Seattle and Seattle Citysearch.