CTI-Careers-Living in Seattle

Biotechnology Industry
•	The Greater Seattle area and Washington state are becoming known as one of the premier biotechnology centers in the world.
•	Nearly one-half of the more than 230 private and publicly traded biotechnology and medical device firms in Washington are founded on technologies developed at one of the area's non-profit institutions - University of Washington, Washington State University, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC), Pacific Northwest Research Institute, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
•	The FHCRC's E. Donnall Thomas received the 1990 Nobel Prize for his pioneering work with bone marrow transplantation.

Related Links
•	Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association provides an industry snapshot
•	City of Seattle biotech industry information
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Climate, Geography, and Weather
•	Seattle enjoys the shorelines of two large lakes and Puget Sound, and is flanked by two mountain ranges.
•	San Juan Islands, Pacific Ocean beaches, and major rivers are nearby.
•	Although Seattle is known for rain, our average annual rainfall is less than Houston, New York City, Atlanta, Memphis, and St. Louis.
•	The annual average temperature in the Seattle-Tacoma area is 59.3 degrees. Temperatures in mid-summer average 75 degrees.

Interesting Facts
•	In 1999, the Mt. Baker ski area in northwest Washington beat Mt. Rainier's previous world record for seasonal snowfall set in 1972 with 1,140 inches, which makes for great skiing!

Related Links
•	The Weather Channel
•	Guide to the San Juan Islands
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Culture and Entertainment
"Seattle is renowned for the arts and for integrating art into the civic fabric. Our city is recognized for internationally acclaimed theater, music and dance; festivals celebrating the diversity in our cultural communities; and public art that engages us throughout the city. I believe that art is a key element in making this a wonderful place to live." -Greg Nickels, Mayor, City of Seattle
•	Seattle Opera, Seattle Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet, numerous art galleries, the Seattle Art Museum, rich theater center
•	Family entertainment includes: Woodland Park Zoo, Children's Museum, Pacific Science Center, Seattle Aquarium, Family Fun Center, Experience Music Project (EMP), Museum of Flight, cultural events such as the Folklife Festival and Seattle International Film Festival
•	International cuisine famous for fresh seafood - more than 2,000 restaurants in greater Seattle
•	Seattle boasts 29 professional theater companies, 56 fringe theater companies, and seven theater schools, more than 80 live music clubs, 15 symphony orchestras, ten major art and cultural heritage museums, and 190 private art galleries

Interesting Facts
•	The Space Needle was constructed for the 1962 World's Fair.
•	The Seattle Symphony performed for the first time in 1903.
•	"Frasier," "Sleepless in Seattle," "An Officer & A Gentleman," and "Singles" are among the more than 100 movies and TV shows that have been filmed on location in the Seattle area.

Related Links
•	Dining in Seattle
•	City Search
•	Visit Washington
•	Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau
•	Come Downtown
•	Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs
•	Seattle.net
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Economy, Cost of Living, Taxes
•	Seattle is ranked as one of the best U.S. cities in which to locate a business. Key factors are Seattle's skilled work force, manufacturing capability, education and research, quality transportation and infrastructure, access to international and domestic markets, and government accessibility.
•	The economic success story throughout the Puget Sound region is largely due to a favorable environment for business development and attractive personal tax climate.

Interesting Facts
•	The median household income in the Greater Seattle area is approximately $62,195.

Related Links
•	City of Seattle economy
•	Economy & cost of living information on WBBA Web site
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Education
•	Washington has an extensive training and education system of 22 public and private four-year colleges and universities, 27 public two-year colleges, and five public voc-tech institutions.
•	The University of Washington in Seattle is a recognized leader in medical technology, bioengineering, nuclear engineering, aerospace, oceanography, fisheries and forestry.
•	Washington State University in Pullman boasts the Pacific Northwest's only college of Veterinary Medicine.

Interesting Facts
•	Seattle ranks first in the U.S. with 47% of adults holding a bachelor's degree.

Related Links
•	Community and technical colleges
•	Seattle school guide
•	Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction
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Emerald City History A brief peak into Seattle for history aficionados...

Interesting Facts
•	The first Euro-American settlement by the Denney party in 1851, was originally named "New York Alki."
•	The city was ultimately named for Chief Sealth, of the Suquamish Indian tribe.

Related Links
•	Seattle history on the WBBA Web site
•	HistoryLink.org
•	150 Years, Seattle By and By
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Local Industry
•	Seattle is the home of industry leaders, Microsoft, Amazon.com, Alaska Air, Costco, Nordstrom, Starbucks, and Safeco Insurance to mention a few.
•	Boeing moved its headquarters to Chicago, yet remains a committed employer in the Seattle area.
•	Greater Seattle is a leading center for advanced technology in aerospace, computer software, bioinformatics, genomics, telemedicine, electronics, medical equipment, and environmental engineering.

Interesting Facts
•	In 1916, Bill Boeing personally tested the "B&W," his company's first plane, from a hangar on Lake Union.
•	In 1901 Wallin & Nordstrom shoe store opened, the forerunner of retail giant Nordstrom.

Related Links
•	Seattle industry and business
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Sports and Recreation
•	Major sports teams: NBA Basketball - Seattle Supersonics; Major League Baseball - Seattle Mariners; NFL Football - Seattle Seahawks; Hockey - Thunderbirds, Professional Soccer - Sounders; WNBA - Storm
•	New state-of-the-art facilities: Safeco Field, Seahawks Stadium, Key Arena
•	Hiking, sailing, mountain climbing, skiing, camping, fishing, and so much more
•	Active and talented University sports programs
•	22 public and 15 private 18-hole golf courses
•	Active non-pro team sports leagues for the rest of us

Interesting Facts
•	Our Seattle Sonics hold the distinction of playing in the first and only NBA game ever rained out! It happened in January 1986 at the Seattle Center Coliseum. The Sonics now play in the new Key Arena at the site of the old Coliseum.
•	Seattle has more pleasure boat owners per capita than any other metropolitan city.

Related Links
•	Seattle golf guide
•	Sports and recreation
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Biotechnology Industry

Climate, Geography, and Weather

Culture and Entertainment

Economy, Cost of Living, Taxes

Education

Emerald City History

Local Industry

Sports and Recreation