A Look at Seattle
Seattle is the northernmost city in the United States and the seat of King county. According to 2010 US Census Bureau, its residents are approximately 609,000. The racial composition of the city include white and black Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Alaska Natives, Pacific Islanders and other races. It is a home to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport which is the doorway to Asia and Alaska. The people of the city are referred to as Seattleites. Until 1982, the city was nicknamed “Queen City” but today, the name was turned to the “Emerald City.” This was the winning entry in a contest held in 1981. Other unofficial nicknames given to Seattle are “the Jet City” due to the prominence of Boeing, “Rain City” and “Gateway to Alaska.”
The city is also famous for the artists and bands that are recognized in the entertainment industry including Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden. In addition, it is known as the home of the giant coffee companies such as Seattle’s Best Coffee, Tully’s and Starbucks. The success of these three firms led to the birth of other independent cafes and espresso roasters. It is also considered as one of the most literate cities by the researchers at Central Connecticut State University. This is primarily due to the fact that it is one of the metropolises in the country that has the most number of college graduates. In fact, almost half of the dwellers have earned a bachelor degree or even higher at the age of 25.
Seattle is included in the Pacific Ring of Fire, making the city a major earthquake zone. In February 2001, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurred and devastated edifices in the Pioneer Square district. Fortunately, the quake killed no one. There are 4 other major quakes that are recorded; the strongest was in January 26, 1700 at magnitude 9. The city lies in a Cascadia subduction zone and Seattle Fault which can cause strong quakes. This has affected the building codes in the city.
The most famous tourist attraction in Seattle is the Space Needle built in 1962. It is even reflected in the logo of the city’s team in the National Basketball Association, which is the Seattle Super Sonics. In addition, the skyscrapers in the city also attract the attention of the domestic and overseas tourists. In 1980s, two of Seattle’s tallest buildings were built. First is the Columbia Center which has 76 floors. It was finished in 1985 and to date; it is the tallest edifice in the Pacific Northwest and the fourth in the west of Mississippi River. The other is the Washington Mutual Tower completed in 1988, making it the second tallest building in the city.
Other well-known tourist attractions in the city are Pike Place Market where the Starbucks was founded in 1971 (the first store in the Market is still in operation), Seattle Central Library, Seattle Center’s Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame and Fremont Troll. Museums and art galleries are also one of the tourist spots in the city. Some of the prominent museums include Seattle Asian Art Museum, Burke Museum of National History and Culture and the Henry Art Gallery which is the first public art museum in Washington.
Seattle In a Nutshell
Seattle is a major city located in Washington and the largest in Pacific Northwest and in the state. It adjoins the Canada-US border. It was named after Chief Sealth “Seattle,” the leaders of two tribes who are the first dwellers in the city. Seattle is in the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it vulnerable to earthquakes. It lies in the Seattle Fault and Cascadia Subduction Zone. 5 major earthquakes in the city have been recorded; the most recent was the 6.8 Nisqually earthquake in February, 2001and the strongest in 1700 at magnitude 9. It has a population of as much as 608,000 according to the 2010 United States Census Bureau. It is composed of white and black Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, Native Alaskans and other races. It is often referred to as the Jet City and Queen City but its official nickname is Emerald City.
Seattle is known for its famous coffee. Three giant cafes are based here; Tully’s, Seattle’s Best Coffee and Starbucks. The Seattleites, as its residents are called, consume heavy amount of the mentioned beverage. In addition, the city is famous for its tall skyscrapers. Columbia Center and Washington Mutual Tower are the first and second tallest buildings respectively in the city. Other tourist attractions in Seattle include the Space Needle, which has been featured in countless films and television shows, the Seattle Center, the Smith Tower which is completed in 1914 and Henry Art Gallery, which is the state’s first public art museum. It opened in 1927. There are quite a few museums in the city aside from Henry Art Gallery. Woodland Park Zoo and Seattle Aquarium are also included among the tourist destinations.
The bases of the city’s economy are manufacturing, aviation, informational technology, recreational and architecture. Some of the city’s top employers, some of which are in the list of Forbes 500, include the coffee chain Starbucks, Amazon.com which is an internet retailer, Providence Health and Services which is a health care provider, Microsoft which is a leader in software, Nintendo, Nordstrom which is a department store and many others. The biggest firm that had a headquarters in the city was Boeing, before it moved to Chicago. Biotech firms have also been developing in Seattle. It houses Corixa which is now part of GlaxoSmithKline, Amgen’s Immunex and Vulcan Inc.
Manufacturing sector is another industry that significantly contributes to the economy’s gross metropolitan product. This has made the Port of Seattle busy. Its close proximity in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport further improved this sector. Cruising is another emerging sector that gives employment to hundreds of Seattleites. The city’s port has been serving as Alaska cruise’s departure point. In 2008 alone, there are about 890,000 passengers passed through Seattle. This figure has exceeded the Vancouver BC’s number which is another primary departure point for the mentioned cruise line.
The city definitely has lots to offer. It is also considered as one of the smartest cities in the states in more ways than one. More than half of its residents have acquired a bachelor degree and even higher at the age of 25. In addition, it is one of the few cities which some governmental policies are getting green. Certainly, Seattle is a city that the nation’s capital can take pride in.
Seattle’s Coffee Culture
Seattle is known for its best coffee shops. It is the home for two coffee giants, which are Seattle’s Best and Starbucks. They are literally everywhere in the city. It is not unlikely that you will see coffee shop in every block. The cup of Joe can be obtained not just in such shops but in sidewalk stands and parking lots as well. It can even be delivered. Coffee has played a key role in how the Seattleites socialize just like the purpose that drinks serve in a pub. They talk about something important and trivial over a cup of Joe. Although it is more popular with the younger crowd, it is also appealing to the older generations. The fame and success of the giant coffee chains have paved the way for independent shops. The coffee in Seattle also has an Italian twist with the creation of espresso and cappuccino. Every so often, the shops offer coffee cupping to the public at least once a week. They show to the public how their coffees are made
Even if coffee is prevalent in Seattle, alcoholic drinks are also widely accepted in the city. Some parts of the town get alive during the night as it allows its residents and the tourists to have only the best of the city’s nightlife and entertainment. There are different pubs that cater to specific groups. For instance, there are clubs that are primarily for people, who appreciate Techno Music lovers, 1950’s music, cocktail lounges and others.
Grunge rock movement originated in Seattle, bestowing the city a national and global cultural status. In early 1990s, it has literally dominated the music scene with a few numbers of bands that sprung out from town. Pearl Jam and Nirvana are just two of the groups that Seattle takes pride in. Some of the predecessors of the Indie rock still perform in the town’s hip music centers such as Belltown’s Crocodile Café that is situated in the 2200 Second Avenue. However, the city is not just into grunge rock movements. It is also the hometown of the celebrated saxophonist Kenny G. Ray Charles and Quincy Jones also made their marks in the city.
There are also lots of theaters in town. There is Benaroya Hall which is the home of the Seattle Symphony. This group is one of America’s top recording orchestras. The city also takes pride in Seattle Center. The McCaw Hill inside the mentioned center is where Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet perform. In just a few steps away, you will see the Bagley Wright Theatre where Seattle Repertory Theatre showcases their talents in their field. On the other hand, music artists go into Paramount Theatre as more often than not, concerts are being held in there. As this theater has been remodeled, it is now a top of the line venue for performing arts.
Seattle has been and will always be a coffee lover’s haven. The coffee shops are not only just serving coffee but other things as well such as culinary experience and a taste of the city’s culture. With everything that the city can provide, from its museums, parks, theaters down to its coffee shops, you cannot ask for anything more in Seattle.
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