Pacific Northwest

geography · rainforests · North America

Incredibly wet forests. The Pacific Northwest is famous for its thick rainforests and constant rain, especially in areas west of the mountains. These wet forests are home to giant trees, moss-covered rocks, and tons of animals.

Bordered by mountains. The Cascade and Coast mountain ranges form a natural boundary on the eastern side of this region, while the Pacific Ocean defines its western edge. These mountains help create the wet climate by making storms drop their rain on the western slopes.

Crosses two countries. The Pacific Northwest spreads across parts of the United States (Oregon, Washington, and Idaho) and Canada (British Columbia), making it a bi-national region that shares geography, weather, and culture.

Also called Cascadia. People sometimes refer to this region as Cascadia because of the Cascade Mountains that run through it. The exact boundaries aren't officially fixed, so different people include slightly different areas.

Reaches from coast to mountains. While most people think of the coastal rainforests, the Pacific Northwest can stretch from the Pacific Ocean all the way east to the Rocky Mountains, depending on how you define the region.