The United States of America is mostly associated with skyscrapers rising above the canyons of noisy streets filled with cars and crowds of people. This is partly true. But the Wild West, even in the twenty-first century, still bears the imprint of that wild land and "one-story America" that westerns show. Outside of several huge centers of civilization such as Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles and others, there are endless prairies, dense forests, mountains and canyons. And the Indians? They are also present. Some communities prefer the old way of life, which brings a certain flavor to visiting their reservations. In this article, we will take a virtual tour of the US West Coast. We will travel several thousand kilometers from Alaska in the north to California in the south (without passing through Canada).
Which territories are considered to be the US West Coast
Strange as it may seem, there is no consensus on this. For example, the Cascade Mountains, the Sierra Nevada, and the Mojave Desert are considered to be on the west coast. Arizona and Nevada have no outlet to the Pacificocean. But they are also referred to as the west coast, because they have strong climatic and cultural influences from states such as Washington, Oregon and California. Hawaii is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on all sides. But the archipelago is not adjacent to the North American mainland. Alaska has no land border with the rest of the country. By its location on the map, it can be compared with the Kaliningrad region of Russia. And, although the main states on the west coast of the United States are California, Washington and Oregon, Alaska can also be included in their number. Let's start our virtual journey from the very north.
Sights of Alaska
The northwest coast of the USA is the edge of the harsh polar nature. Alaska is the largest state in the country. Its area is one million and seven hundred odd thousand square kilometers. People go to the far north of the United States primarily for extreme sports and communication with wildlife. The last one here is more than enough. After all, in addition to the mainland, the state of Alaska also includes completely wild or semi-inhabited islands: the Aleutian, Pribylova, the Alexander archipelago, St. Lawrence. The "Gold Rush" did little to change the landscapes of this northern region. People come here to watch the polar lights, ride through the narrow fjords, conquer the mountain peaks covered with glaciers. The capital of Alaska, also known as the Land of the Midnight Sun, is Juneau. But the most visited city by tourists is Anchorage. People go to Juneau to get acquainted with the life of gold miners of the nineteenth century. And to touch the culture of local Indiantribes are sent to the city of Ketchikan. But the main we alth of Alaska is its natural parks. The most famous is Denali. The highest point of the peninsula, Mount McKinley, is also located on its vast territory. Other well-known national parks are Wrangel, Glacier Bay and Kenai Fjord.
Washington State
Now let's move through Canada to the US West Coast. In its very north, we are met by the forty-second state of the country - Washington. The territorial unit's capital is Olympia, but the largest city is Seattle. In Washington, as well as in Alaska, people go for natural beauties. The most famous national reserve is the "Olympic" in the northwest of the state. A visit to this natural park can be compared to a journey into a fairy tale. There are mountains and waterfalls, alpine lakes and crystal streams, a unique Hoh rainforest and a long sea coast. Needless to say, all these landscapes are inhabited by an amazing variety of wild fauna? Another place most visited by tourists is the stratovolcano Rainier. Its slopes are also included in the natural park of the same name.
US West Coast: Cities. Seattle
Among virgin forests and endless prairies, like islands in a boundless sea, there are urban agglomerations. Seattle is one of them. The population of the city itself is over six hundred thousand people. Seattle is also a major seaport. It is located on the shores of the Puget Sound. In the east of the city lies the picturesque Lake Washington. And behind it the Rocky Mountains begin, which, like a magnet, attract climbers. There are two must-see attractions in Seattle. The Space Needle is the hallmark of the city. It was built in 1962 and was the tallest building in Seattle until the seventy-six-story Calambia Center was built in 1985. At the Pike Place Market seafood market, you can buy not only Pacific shrimp and lobster, but also see the performance of singers, street actors and clowns. Under the Washington Bridge, you should see the Fremont Troll holding a real Volkswagen in his hands.
Oregon
Move south and leave Washington State. The West Coast of the United States continues with Oregon. By tradition, the state capital is the small town of Salem. And the largest metropolis is Portland. Oregon also offers many natural beauties to tourists. These are Mount Hood and Deschats national parks with the Newberry volcano. Tourists are attracted by the Rocky Mountains, which stretch from north to south along the west coast of the United States. To the east of this ridge, at an altitude of more than one thousand two hundred meters, extends the "Oregon Desert" - very arid lands. And, in addition, the state will delight beach lovers with sandbars and shores, bays and secluded coves between rocks.
California
The US West Coast completes this sunny state in the south. It is the longest along the Pacific Ocean. And let's addmost filled with a variety of attractions. Here are such world-famous urban agglomerations as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Hollywood. It is also the birthplace of Disneyland. California's endless beaches are the talk of the town. Sunbathing on the legendary Malibu, you can see whales, and take a walk in one of the many natural parks on the coast, watch the rookeries of fur seals. But even in the depths of the mainland on the territory of the state, various attractions await the traveler.
Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks, Route 66
The first sight is known all over the world. The Grand Canyon stretches for four hundred and forty kilometers. Its beauty cannot be described in words - it must be seen!
Death Valley is the lowest point on the mainland (eighty-six meters below sea level), the driest and hottest. In summer, +57 C is observed here! During the year, 40 mm of precipitation falls in Death Valley, while in the Sahara - 384 mm.
The name of the park "Sequoia" speaks for itself. Here you can see not just huge trees, but real giants. "Here God has surpassed himself" - this is said about the park "Yosemite". You will not find such a variety of flora and fauna species anywhere else.
East - West coast of the United States is still connected by the legendary road number 66. Every American dreams of driving it from beginning to end (almost four thousand kilometers). The highway links Los Angeles with Chicago.
City of angels and sins
The West Coast of the USA in California is famous for such cities as the center of the film industry Hollywood, the capital of the gambling business Las Vegas, San Francisco. In Los Angeles, you should definitely visit the museum at the Universal film studio, and if you are traveling with children, the very first Disneyland in the world. In Las Vegas, it's hard not to stop by some casinos. And, of course, you just need to walk along the Walk of Fame, where stars dedicated to Hollywood celebrities are laid out under your feet.
