Northwest Area Science

Northwest Area Facts

* Population about 12 million
* 43 federally recognized Tribes
* Hydropower provides about two-thirds of electricity supply
* 78 federally listed threatened and endangered species
* 12 active or potentially active volcanoes
* Columbia River system drains more than 260,000 square miles, an area about the size of Texas
* More than 175 square miles covered by glaciers
* More than 900 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline
* More than 2,300 miles of greater Puget Sound coastline
* Some forests store more carbon per unit area than any other area in the world, including the tropics
* 51 percent federal lands
* Significant lead, zinc, silver, and phosphate deposits