1. THE NORTH PACIFIC COAST (CHAPTER 16: PART 1)

2. INTRODUCTION
The North Pacific Coast has also been labeled as "Ecotopia."
Strongly subjected to a Maritime influence and dominated by rugged terrain
Relatively isolated from the rest of North America, much to the satisfaction of its inhabitants
The region is mapped on page 367.

3. NORTH PACIFIC COAST

4. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY CLIMATE
The region of heaviest annual precipitation amounts on the continent
Average precipitation >75 inches/year is common.
150 inches/year is the norm on the western side of the coastal ranges.
Parts of Vancouver Island receives about 230 inches/ year
Winter precipitation exceeds summer amounts throughout the region.

5. PRECIPITATION
PATTERNS

6. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY CLIMATE (continued)
Abundant rainfall supports tremendous tree growth in areas such as the Olympic Peninsula.
Orographic Rainfall (precipitation that results when moist air is lifted over a topographic barrier) is the dominant source of precipitation in the region.

7. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY TOPOGRAPHY The Coast Ranges-Oregon and Washington
Reach elevations of 4,000 feet
Responsible for the rain shadow effect (see map on page 368).
Further inland are the rugged Cascades
Extend north into British Columbia
Merge with the Insular Mountains, and are known as the Coast Mountains

8. PHYSIOGRAPHIC
PROVINCES

9. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY TOPOGRAPHY (continued)
Mt. McKinley is located at the region's northern extremity
20,320 feet in elevation- the highest point in North America
The mountain's vertical rise (in excess of 18,000 feet) is the highest in the world.
The St. Elias Mountains in Canada are the world's highest coastal mountains
Mt. Logan reaches a height of 19,700 feet.

11. SETTLEMENT PATTERNS AMERICAN INDIANS
Pre-European population of the area - relatively large
Based on a simple hunting and gathering economy
Depended largely on deer and salmon, and supplemented by berries, roots, and shellfish
Large concentrations of Indians were found along the coast, particularly in coastal valleys.
Some tribes constructed large dugout canoes of cedar and became notable seafarers.
The Puyallups are one of the few remaining tribes
Fairly well known because of recent legislation granting them “salmon rights”

12. SETTLEMENT PATTERNS EUROPEANS
Russians were the first Europeans to establish settlements along the coast.
Initially established settlements during the late 1700s
Consisted mainly of fur-trading posts ranging from Southeast Alaska to Northern California.
U.S./Canadian 49 North -1846
Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867 for the paltry sum of 7.2 million dollars.
Oregon's population - strong New England heritage
Washington - large number of people with Scandinavian roots

13. SETTLEMENT PATTERNS MAJOR CITIES TODAY VANCOUVER
Canada's third largest city
More than 1.2 million people
Planners expect the city to double is size within 30 years.
Vancouver serves as the western outlet for Interior Canada.
Canada's busiest port, focused on wood products and wheat that is destined for Asian markets.

14. VANCOUVER

15. SETTLEMENT PATTERNS SEATTLE MAJOR CITIES TODAY (continued)
Largest city of the North Pacific Coast - late 1800s
Founded as a logging center.
Since WWI, it has been the home of Boeing Aircraft
Sometimes referred to as the world's largest "company town," as Boeing had 103,000 employees during the 1960's.
Employment at Boeing subsequently fell to about 50,000 by the early 70s
Rebounded in the 1980s, providing more than 106,000 jobs by the end of the decade.
Today, a middle-class city, appealing by any survey.

16. SEATTLE

17. SETTLEMENT PATTERNS MAJOR CITIES TODAY (continued) PORTLAND
Serves as the agricultural focus and shipment point for western grain.
Food processing and the manufacturing of wood products are key industries to the city.
Boasts a more diversified economy than Seattle’s.

18. REGIONAL ECONOMY FORESTRY
British Columbia produces 45% of Canada's timber.
Washington, Oregon, and California account for more than 50% of the U.S. total.
Douglas Fir is the species that is currently of prime importance.
Although the region's first major industry, forestry was not nationally important until the early 1900s.
Current cutting techniques include "selective cutting," "shelterwood cutting," and "clear cutting".
Japan has been a major market for North America timber, especially from Alaska and British Columbia.

20. REGIONAL ECONOMY FORESTRY (continued)
Controversy surrounds the use of "clear cutting" and the harvesting of Northern California redwoods, the world's tallest (and among the oldest) trees.
A target for preservationists, the Redwood National Park was established in the late 1960s.
POWER AND DAMS
The plentiful precipitation and rugged topography of the area provides hydroelectric potential unmatched anywhere in North America.
The rivers of Oregon and Washington account for over 40% of the U.S.'s hydroelectric potential.

21. REGIONAL ECONOMY POWER AND DAMS
Columbia River has the greatest power generating potential in the region
A flow volume greater than the Mississippi River
A drop of nearly 1,000 feet during the course of its 750 mi route from U.S./Canadian border to the sea.
Grand Coulee - the region's largest dam
Completed in 1933, and ten more dams have since been constructed downstream.
Recent addition of new generators at Grand Coulee Dam have tripled its capacity
The world's largest single power producer.

22. REGIONAL ECONOMY POWER AND DAMS
Cheap power has succeeded in attracting a number of heavy power-using industries to the region, similar to scenarios with the TVA or Niagara River Project.
No dams are permitted in Hell's Canyon
World's deepest gorge, cut by the Snake River between Oregon and Idaho
This section of the Snake was classified as a "Wild and Scenic River" in 1975.

23. AGRICULTURE Most of the region's crops are grown for local markets.
Impacts of transferability & intervening opportunity
Producing areas and products
Willamett River Valley- forage crops, dairy products, and strawberries
Puget Sound Lowlands (Washington)- dairy products and peas
Yakima and Wenatchee Valley- apples via irrigation from the streams and rivers of the Cascades
"Hilly Country" (east-central Washington)- wheat via dry farming

27. THE NORTH PACIFIC COAST (CHAPTER 16: PART 1)