Geography

We use geography to locate, organize, and describe places on the earth. This site focuses on the Puget Sound and broader Salish Sea regions of Washington state and British Columbia, which may be spatially mapped and subdivided using a variety of physical, political, or human factors.  The information on this site is generally limited to the Salish Sea waters and the surrounding land basin draining into those waters.

Overview

The boundaries of Puget Sound and the Salish Sea are not always consistently defined by scientists and government agencies. This article clarifies the distinctions between oceanographic and watershed-based definitions of these geographic areas. 

Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIA). Map: Kris Symer. Data source: WAECY.

Related Articles

Learn more about demographics in King County, Washington.  The U.S. Census Bureau published the following quick facts.

Learn more about demographics in Jefferson County, Washington.  The U.S. Census Bureau published the following quick facts.

Learn more about demographics in Island County, Washington.  The U.S. Census Bureau published the following quick facts.

Learn more about demographics in Clallam County, Washington. The U.S. Census Bureau published the following quick facts.

The Washington State Department of Ecology and other state natural resources agencies have divided the Washington into 62 "Water Resource Inventory Areas" or "WRIAs" to delineate the state's major watersheds.

A botanist believes Coast Salish tribes once favored small islands in the San Juan archipelago for growing camas, an important food staple. Her studies may also show the vulnerability of these relic gardens to climate change as sea levels rise.