Seattle is bounded to the west by the saltwater Puget Sound (a Pacific Ocean arm) and to the east by Lake Washington. Elliott Bay, the city’s main harbor, is part of Puget Sound, making the city an oceanic port. The Kitsap Peninsula and Olympic Mountains on the Olympic Peninsula are to the west, beyond Puget Sound; Lake Sammamish and the Cascade Range are to the east, past Lake Washington and the Eastside suburbs. The Lake Washington Ship Canal transports Lake Washington’s waters to Puget Sound.
Seattle’s coastline, rivers, forests, lakes, and farmland were once plentiful enough to support one of the world’s few sedentary hunter-gatherer communities. Year-round, the surrounding area is ideal for sailing, skiing, bicycling, camping, and hiking.
The city itself is hilly, though not evenly so. The city is believed to be built on seven hills, similar to Rome; the list varies, but commonly includes Capitol Hill, First Hill, West Seattle, Beacon Hill, Queen Anne, Magnolia, and the former Denny Hill. The highest point inside city limits is at High Point in West Seattle, at 35th Avenue SW and SW Myrtle St. Crown Hill, View Ridge/Wedgwood/Bryant, Maple Leaf, Phinney Ridge, Mt. Baker Ridge, and Highlands/Carkeek/Bitterlake are also notable hills.
