Pacific Northwest

Pacific Northwest (pronunciation: /ˌpæsɪfɪk nɔːrθˈwɛst/) is a region in the western part of North America. It is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Though no agreed boundary exists, a common conception includes the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington and the Canadian province of British Columbia.

Etymology

The term "Pacific Northwest" should not be confused with the Northwest Territory (also known as the Old Northwest) or the Northwest Territories of Canada. The region's largest metropolitan areas are Greater Seattle, Washington, with 3.8 million people; Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, with 2.4 million people; and Greater Portland, Oregon, with 2.3 million people.

Related Terms

Oregon: A state in the Pacific Northwest region on the West Coast of the United States.
Washington: A state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.
British Columbia: The westernmost province of Canada, located between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains.
Rocky Mountains: A major mountain range in western North America.
Greater Seattle: The metropolitan area centered on Seattle, Washington, in the Pacific Northwest region.
Greater Vancouver: The metropolitan area centered on Vancouver, British Columbia, in the Pacific Northwest region.
Greater Portland: The metropolitan area centered on Portland, Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest region.