Puget Sound is an arm of the Pacific Ocean in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It was named by George Vancouver for Lieutenant Peter Puget, who explored its southern end in May 1792. Vancouver claimed it for Great Britain on June 4, 1792. It became part of the Oregon Country, and became U.S. territory when the 1846 Oregon Treaty was signed. The native american name for it is Whulge.
The United States Geological Survey defines Puget Sound as a bay with numerous channels and branches. It extends 144 km (90 miles) south from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Olympia, Washington; the northern boundary is formed, at its main entrance, by a line between Point Wilson on the Olympic Peninsula and Point Partridge on Whidbey Island; at a second entrance called Deception Pass, between West Point on Whidbey Island, Deception Island , and Rosario Head on Fidalgo Island; at a third entrance, the south end of Swinomish Channel between Fidalgo Island and McGlinn Island . [1]
The urban region of the same name is centered around Seattle, Washington and consists of nine counties, two urban center cities and four satellite cities. Both urban core cities have large industrial areas and seaports plus a high-rise central business district. The satellite cities are primarily suburban, featuring a small downtown core and a small industrial area or port. The suburbs consist mostly of residences, strip malls, and shopping centers.
Oceanographically, it is a partially mixed, estuarine fjord consisting of a series of interconnected basins separated by sills.
Counties
In addition, the San Juan Islands (all of San Juan County plus a few islands belonging to Whatcom County) are often considered part of the greater Puget Sound area.
Prominent islands
Urban centers
Satellite cities
Largest suburbs (in order from greatest to least population)
Last updated: 10-19-2005 01:18:42
