The Pacific Northwest is located in the northwest corner of North America and made of three states: Washington, Oregon and Idaho. The region also includes the province of British Columbia, Canada.

Just the Facts, Please

The majority of the population is concentrated along the I-5 corridor which includes the cities of Portland, OR Seattle, WA and Vancouver, B.C. As of 2004 the current population density has reached 9 million people in those areas. The eastern parts of the region are less densely populated and consist of rural areas and agricultural communities and has a population of 4-5 million.

Climate

The Pacific Northwest is split by the Cascade Mountain range which divides the region into two different climate zones. In the western portion the winters are wet and mild having an average temperature in the 50's; with the summers averaging a comfortable temperature in the high 70's to mid 80's. The eastern region is arid, has colder and drier winters with hot summers. The area also has an average of 300 days of sunshine.

Economy

The area economies are as diverse as thier climates. The I-5 corridor house company headquarters such as: Microsoft, Boeing, Weyerhauser and Starbucks. The eastern part of the region produces the majority of the country's wheat, potatoes and alfalfa.