US West Coast: attractions and photos

The United States of America mostly cause associations with skyscrapers towering above the canyons of noisy streets, crowded 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", which westerns demonstrate. Outside of several huge centers of civilization, such as Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles and others, endless prairies stretch, 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 make a virtual trip along the western coast of the USA. We will overcome several thousand kilometers, having made a way from Alaska in the north to California in the south (having passed thus territory of Canada).

What territories are considered to be the western coast of the USA

Strange as it may seem, there is no consensus on this score. For example, to the west coast are Cascade Mountains, Sierra Nevada, Mojave Desert. Arizona and Nevada do not have access to the Pacific Ocean. But they are also referred to the west coast, because they have a strong climatic and cultural influence of such states as Washington, Oregon and California. Hawaii is washed from all sides by the Pacific Ocean. But the archipelago does not adjoin the mainland of North America. Alaska does not have a land border with the rest of the country. By location on the map, it can be compared with the Kaliningrad region of Russia. And, although the main states on the US west coast are California, Washington and Oregon, Alaska can also be included in their number. Let's begin our virtual journey from the north.

Attractions in Alaska

The northwest coast of the United States is the edge of a harsh polar nature. Alaska is the largest state in the country. Its area is one million and seven hundred thousand square kilometers. In the extreme north, the USA goes first of all for the extreme and communication with the wild nature. The last one here is more than enough. After all, in addition to the mainland, Alaska also includes completely wild or semi-inhabited islands: the Aleutian, Pribylova, Alexander archipelago, St. Lawrence. "Gold Rush" has changed the landscapes of this northern edge. They go here to watch the polar lights, ride through narrow fjords, conquer the mountain tops covered with glaciers. The capital of Alaska, also called the Land of the Midnight Sun, is Juneau. But the most visited city is Anchorage. In June, they go to get acquainted with the life of gold miners of the nineteenth century. And to touch the culture of local Indian tribes, go to the city of Ketchikan. But the main wealth of Alaska is its natural parks. The most famous is the "Denali". On its vast territory is located and the highest point of the peninsula - Mount McKinley. Other famous national parks are Wrangel, Glacier Bay and Kenai Fjord.

Washington state

Now we will move through the territory of Canada to the west coast of the USA. In its very north we are met by the forty-second state of the country - Washington. The capital of territorial education is Olympia, but the largest city is Seattle. In Washington, as well as in Alaska, they go for natural beauties. The most famous national reserve is the "Olympic" in the north-west of the state. Visiting this natural park can be compared with traveling to a fairy tale. There are mountains, waterfalls, alpine lakes and crystal streams, a unique rain forest of Hoh and an extended sea coast. Needless to say, all these landscapes are inhabited by an amazing diversity of wildlife? Another most visited tourist place is Stratovulcan Rainier. Its slopes are also included in the natural park of the same name.

West Coast of the USA: cities. Seattle

Among the pristine forests and boundless prairies, like islands in a vast 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 shore of the Puget Sound Bay. In the east of the city is a picturesque Lake Washington. And behind it start the Rocky Mountains, which, like a magnet, attract mountaineers. In Seattle, the list of "mast si" includes two attractions. The Space Needle is a visiting card of the city. It was built in 1962 and was the tallest building in Seattle until the seventy-six-story Kalambia Center was built in 1985. In the market of seafood Pike Place Market you can buy not only Pacific shrimps and lobsters, but also see the performance of singers, street actors and clowns. Under the bridge of Washington, one should see the Fremont troll holding a real "Volkswagen".

Oregon

We move to the south and leave the state of Washington. The West Coast of the United States continues Oregon. According to the tradition of the country, the capital of the state is the small town of Salem. And the largest metropolis is Portland. State of Oregon also offers tourists many natural beauties. These are the national parks of Mount Hood and Deshats with the Newberry volcano. Tourists are attracted to the Rocky Mountains, which stretch from north to south along the western 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 dry land. And, in addition, the staff will please beach lovers with sandy shoals and beaches, bays and secluded bays between the rocks.

California

The western coast of the United States completes this solar state in the south. It is the longest along the Pacific Ocean. And, we will add, is most full of various sights. There are such world-famous urban agglomerations as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Hollywood. It is also the birthplace of Disneyland. The endless beaches of California are a byword. Tanning on the legendary Malibu, you can see whales, and after taking a walk to one of the many natural parks on the coast, watch the rookeries of fur seals. But in the depths of the mainland in the state of the traveler waiting for various attractions.

Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Sequoia and Yosemite parks, road number 66

The first landmark is known all over the world. The Grand Canyon stretches for four hundred and forty kilometers. His beauty can not be described in words - it must be seen!

The Death Valley is the lowest point on the mainland (eighty-six meters below the ocean level), the driest and the hottest. In summer, there is +57 C! For the year in the Valley of Death, 40 mm of precipitation falls, 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," it says about Yosemite Park. Such a variety of species of flora and fauna you will not find anywhere else.

The eastern - western coast of the United States still connects the legendary road number 66. Every American dreams of driving from the beginning to the end (almost four thousand kilometers). The motorway connects Los Angeles with Chicago.

The 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 of Las Vegas, San Francisco. In Los Angeles, you certainly need to visit the museum at the film studio "Universal", and if you travel with children - the world's first Disneyland. In Las Vegas, it's hard not to peek into any casinos. And, of course, it's just necessary to walk along the Walk of Fame, where the stars dedicated to Hollywood celebrities are laid out under your feet.