Seattle Map

Description: This map shows neighborhoods, streets, roads, beaches, golf courses, lakes, rivers, buildings, railways, railway stations, trails, and parks in Seattle.

Description: This map shows streets, trails, piers, houses, buildings, cafes, bars, restaurants, hotels, monuments, parking lots, shops, churches, restrooms, points of interest, picnic areas, viewpoints, and parks in Downtown Seattle.

Description: This map shows where Seattle is located on the Washington Map.

Other Maps of Seattle

Seattle is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States and the seat of King County, Washington. With a 2024 population of 780,995, it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The Seattle metropolitan area's population is 4.02 million, making it the 15th-largest in the United States. The city is situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound (an inlet of the Pacific Ocean) and Lake Washington. It is the northernmost major city in the United States, located about 100 miles (160 km) south of the Canadian border.

Geography and Climate

Seattle is built on hills, with the city center located on an isthmus between Elliott Bay and Lake Washington. The city's total area is 142.5 square miles (369 km²), of which 83.9 square miles (217 km²) is land and 58.7 square miles (152 km²) is water. The elevation ranges from sea level at Puget Sound to 520 feet (158 m) at its highest point in West Seattle.

The city lies within the Puget Sound lowland, which is a depression in the Pacific Coast Ranges. To the west lies Puget Sound and beyond that the Olympic Mountains. To the east, across Lake Washington, are the Cascade Range. Mount Rainier, a massive stratovolcano, is visible from many parts of the city and stands at 14,411 feet (4,392 m) approximately 54 miles (87 km) southeast of the city.

Seattle has a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb), characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, relatively dry summers. The city receives an average annual precipitation of 37.49 inches (952 mm), with most rain falling between October and March. Despite its reputation for rain, Seattle actually receives less annual precipitation than many major U.S. cities, including New York, Boston, and Miami. However, the city experiences more overcast days than most other American cities, with an average of 226 cloudy days per year. July and August are typically the driest months, while November through January see the most precipitation.

Snowfall is rare in Seattle, averaging only 6.8 inches (17.3 cm) annually. Temperatures rarely drop below 20°F (-7°C) or rise above 90°F (32°C). The warmest month is August, with an average high of 76°F (24°C), while January is the coldest, with an average low of 37°F (3°C).

Economy

Seattle's economy has historically been driven by its strategic port location and natural resources, particularly timber and fishing. However, since the mid-20th century, the city has transformed into a center for technology, aerospace, and biotechnology industries.

The Boeing Company, founded in Seattle in 1916, has been a major employer for over a century, though its corporate headquarters moved to Chicago in 2001 and later to Arlington, Virginia in 2022. Boeing's commercial airplane division remains headquartered in the Seattle area. The technology sector has become increasingly dominant, with major companies including Amazon, which has its headquarters in Seattle and employs over 50,000 people in the city, and Microsoft, headquartered in nearby Redmond. Other significant tech employers include Google, Facebook, and numerous startups.

Starbucks, the international coffeehouse chain, was founded in Seattle in 1971 and maintains its headquarters in the city. Costco, the multinational corporation operating a chain of membership-only warehouse clubs, is headquartered in nearby Issaquah. Nordstrom, the upscale fashion retailer, was founded in Seattle in 1901 and continues to be headquartered there.

The Port of Seattle is a major gateway for trade with Asia and cruises to Alaska. It operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. Tourism also contributes significantly to the economy, with the city attracting approximately 40 million visitors annually. The median household income is among the highest of major U.S. cities, though the cost of living, particularly housing costs, has increased dramatically in recent years.

Education

The University of Washington, founded in 1861, is a major research university and the oldest university on the West Coast. It enrolls over 45,000 students and is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the world. The university's medical school and research programs are particularly prestigious, receiving more federal research funding than any other public institution.

Seattle University, a Jesuit university established in 1891, enrolls approximately 7,500 students. Other institutions include Seattle Pacific University, a Christian university, and Seattle Central College, part of the Seattle Colleges District. The Seattle Public Schools system serves approximately 53,000 students in over 100 schools. The district operates several schools with national reputations for excellence, including Garfield High School and Roosevelt High School.

Transportation

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, commonly known as Sea-Tac, is the primary airport serving the Seattle metropolitan area. Located 14 miles south of downtown Seattle, it handled over 51 million passengers in 2019, making it the eighth-busiest airport in North America.

The Port of Seattle operates as a major seaport for both cargo and passenger traffic. It is a leading gateway for trade with Asia, handling over 2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually. The port is also a major cruise ship terminal, serving as the departure point for Alaska cruises.

King County Metro provides public bus service throughout Seattle and King County, operating over 200 routes. Sound Transit operates Link light rail, which began service in 2009 and has been gradually expanding. The current system connects Sea-Tac Airport to the University of Washington via downtown Seattle, with multiple expansion projects underway. Sound Transit also operates Sounder commuter rail service and regional express bus routes.

The Seattle Streetcar operates two separate lines: the South Lake Union line and the First Hill line. The Washington State Ferries system, headquartered in Seattle, is the largest ferry system in the United States, carrying over 24 million passengers annually. Ferry routes connect Seattle to Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, and Vashon Island. Interstate 5 runs through the center of Seattle, connecting the city to Portland, Oregon to the south and Vancouver, British Columbia to the north. Interstate 90 provides the primary route east across the Cascade Range.

Landmarks and Attractions

The Space Needle, built for the 1962 World's Fair (Century 21 Exposition), is Seattle's most iconic landmark. Standing 605 feet (184 m) tall, it features an observation deck and rotating restaurant offering panoramic views of the city, Puget Sound, and surrounding mountains. The structure was designed by Edward E. Carlson and John Graham Jr.

Pike Place Market, founded in 1907, is one of the oldest continuously operated public farmers' markets in the United States. The market complex houses over 225 small businesses, including restaurants, shops, and the famous Pike Place Fish Market, known for its fish-throwing tradition. The market attracts over 10 million visitors annually.

The Chihuly Garden and Glass museum, which opened in 2012, showcases the work of glass artist Dale Chihuly, who was born in Tacoma, Washington. The museum features both interior galleries and an outdoor garden with large-scale glass installations. Pioneer Square, Seattle's oldest neighborhood, features Victorian-era architecture and is home to numerous art galleries, shops, and restaurants. The neighborhood includes the Seattle Underground, a series of passages beneath the current street level that were once ground-level storefronts.

Kerry Park, located on Queen Anne Hill, provides one of the most photographed views of Seattle's skyline with Mount Rainier in the background. The Seattle Great Wheel, a Ferris wheel on Pier 57, opened in 2012 and stands 175 feet (53 m) tall. Gas Works Park, located on the north shore of Lake Washington, features the preserved remains of a gasification plant and offers views of downtown Seattle.

Main sights in Seattle

How to Get to Seattle

By Air

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the primary airport serving the Seattle area. It's located about 14 miles south of downtown Seattle.

• Direct flights from major cities worldwide
• Light rail connection to downtown Seattle
• Rental cars, taxis, and rideshare services available
• Airport shuttles and buses provide additional transportation

By Car

Seattle is accessible via several major highways:

• Interstate 5 (I-5) - Main north-south route from Canada to Mexico
• Interstate 90 (I-90) - East-west route connecting to the Midwest
• State Route 520 - Alternative route across Lake Washington
• Highway 99 - Scenic coastal route

By Train

Amtrak provides passenger rail service to Seattle's King Street Station:

• Coast Starlight - Daily service from Los Angeles and Portland
• Empire Builder - Service from Chicago and Milwaukee
• Cascades - Regional service to Portland, Eugene, and Vancouver BC

By Bus

Multiple bus companies serve Seattle:

• Greyhound - National bus network
• Megabus - Budget intercity service
• BoltBus - Express service to major West Coast cities
• FlixBus - European-style bus service

By Ferry

Washington State Ferries connect Seattle to various islands and peninsulas:

• Bainbridge Island ferry from downtown Seattle
• Vashon Island connections
• Olympic Peninsula routes

References