Seattle is one of the largest cities in the Washington in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Seattle location and orientation has been shaped by the contrasting geography of the city. Geographically Seattle is located between the co-ordinates 47.37 North latitude and 122.20 West longitude. With a total land area of 83.9 square miles the city holds an approximate population of 563,374.
Seattle, the 'Emerald City of Washington' is located on a isthmus connecting the two major water bodies of Puget Sound and Lake Washington. The city is essentially hilly. Kitsap and Olympic peninsular including the Olympic mountains lie to the west of the Puget Sound. The Cascade Range and Lake Sammamish fringe the eastern side of Lake Washington. The city lie on seven hills including the Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, First Hill, West Seattle, Beacon Hill and Denry hill. The hilliest areas are concentrated near the city center. Capitol Hill, First Hill and Beacon Hill collectively forms a ridge between the Elliott Bay and Lake Washington.
The layout and orientation of Seattle downtown has been reshaped by various man made constructions
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like the Lake Washington Ship canal an artificial waterway linking Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Harbor Island an artificial island constructed in the mouth of Duwamish Waterway. Seattle is also a home to many lakes. Downtown Seattle is a busy commercial center with high rise buildings and residential areas overlooking a panoramic waterfront.
The city of Seattle has over the years expanded by annexing small territories. Small neighborhood districts like Wallingford, Green Lake and University district were incorporated. Land area in Seattle has doubled by incorporating such towns and small areas. Southeast Seattle, Ravenna, South Park, Columbia, Ballard and West Seattle were small towns which were annexed to the main city. These satellite neighborhoods of Seattle have Neighborhood Service Centers, originally referred to as 'Little City Halls'. Weekly farmer markets and vendors are also common in Seattle neighborhood.
Seattle location and orientation needs to be examined in the context of the various aspects of Seattle geography which has influenced it.
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