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Overview
Seattle is home to corporate giants like Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon.com, T-Mobile USA, Washington Mutual and Nordstrom. Among the city's top industries are information technology, healthcare and manufacturing. Seattle's proximity to the ocean is conducive to numerous maritime trades such as ship construction, fishing and transportation; its music and film businesses produce significant revenue, too. Businesses specializing in eco-friendly building and energy solutions are on the rise.
The focal point of the city, Pike Place Market, is located downtown by the water. Founded in 1907, this huge market now houses numerous shops and galleries, as well as an extensive selection of produce, meat, fish and other fresh foods. Strolling entertainers and musicians cater to crowds while sidewalk cafes, fine dining rooms, coffee shops and bars in the downtown neighborhood accommodate the influx of tourists who frequent the area.
Home of grunge music in the '80s and '90s and now an enclave for indie artists, Seattle features a plethora of recording studios and live music clubs where up-and-coming bands perform. And each year, several major music festivals attract fans with an impressive lineup of bands. Bumbershoot, a huge weekend-long music and arts event, features national headliners and regional grassroots artists on stages spread across the grounds of Seattle Center, drawing over 100,000 fans. In addition, the massive Northwest Folklife Festival celebrates the work of regional musicians.
If you're interested in learning more about Seattle history, visit the city's first neighborhood, Pioneer Square. Settled in the 1850s, the district is lined with historic buildings, many of which were constructed after the Great Fire of 1889 destroyed most of the original structures. Today, old-fashioned streetcars transport visitors on a tour of neighborhood landmarks. Native American totem poles, a turn-of-the-20th-century pergola and an old train station help commemorate the city's past, and attractive shops and restaurants occupy many of the old buildings. A small portion of the neighborhood that survived the Great Fire remains below ground and is the focal point of the fascinating Underground Tour.
According to most folks, Seattle's greatest appeal lies in its surroundings, and several lush, expansive parks allow visitors access to the region's natural wonders. Paddle around Lake Union for an exceptional view of the city, or hike at Discover Park on Magnolia Bluff, which overlooks cliffs, ocean, meadows and dunes. Located on the waterfront, Myrtle Edwards Park showcases the beauty of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. Gazing at the panorama, locals and visitors alike are captivated by the Emerald City.
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