The United States mainly causesAssociations with skyscrapers towering over canyons of noisy streets, crowded with cars and crowds of people. This is partly true. But the Wild West, even in the twenty-first century, still bears the imprint of that wild land and "one-story America", which is shown by westerns. Outside of several huge centers of civilization, such as Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles and others, endless prairies, dense forests, mountains and canyons extend. And the Indians? They are also present. Some communities prefer the old way of life, which brings a certain flavor to the visit to their reservations. In this article we will take a virtual trip along the west coast of the United States. We will cover several thousand kilometers, having traveled from Alaska in the north to California in the south (having passed the territory of Canada).

What territories are considered to be the western coast of the United States
Oddly enough, there is no singleopinions. For example, the Cascade Mountains, the Sierra Nevada, the Mojave Desert are attributed to the western coast. Arizona and Nevada do not have access to the Pacific Ocean. But they are also attributed to the west coast, because they are strongly climatic and cultural influences of states such as Washington, Oregon and California. Hawaii is washed by the Pacific Ocean on all sides. But the archipelago does not adjoin the mainland of North America. Alaska has no land border with the rest of the country. Its location on the map can be compared with the Kaliningrad region of Russia. And, although the main states on the west coast of the United States are California, Washington and Oregon, Alaska can also be included in their number. Let's start our virtual journey from the very north.

Sights of Alaska
Northwest coast of the United States is a harsh landpolar nature. Alaska is the largest state in the country. Its area is a million and more than seven hundred thousand square kilometers. In the extreme north of the United States go primarily for extreme and communicating with wildlife. Last here - more than enough. Indeed, in addition to the mainland, the state of Alaska includes completely wild or half-inhabited islands: the Aleutian, Pribylova, the Alexander Archipelago, St. Lawrence. The "gold rush" has little changed the landscapes of this northern edge. Here they go to observe the aurora, to ride along the narrow fjords, to conquer the mountain-tops covered with glaciers. The capital of Alaska, which is also called the Land of the Midnight Sun, is Juno. But the most visited city is Anchorage. In Juneau they go to get acquainted with the life of the gold miners of the nineteenth century. And in order to touch the culture of local Indian tribes, they are sent to the city of Ketchikan. But the main wealth of Alaska is its natural parks. The most famous is "Denali". On its vast territory is located the highest point of the peninsula - Mount McKinley. Other famous national parks are Wrangel, Glacier Bay and Kenai Fjord.

Washington state
Now let's move through Canadawest coast of the United States. At its very north, we are met by the forty-second state of the country - Washington. The capital of the territorial entity is Olympia, but the largest city is Seattle. In Washington, as in Alaska, go for the natural beauty. The most famous national reserve is considered "Olympic" in the northwest of the state. A visit to this natural park can be compared to a journey to a fairy tale. There are mountains, waterfalls, alpine lakes and crystal streams, the unique Khokh rainforest and the long coastline. Needless to say that all these landscapes are inhabited by an amazing variety of wild fauna? Another most visited tourist destination is the Rainier stratovolcano. Its slopes are also included in the natural park of the same name.
US West Coast: Cities. Seattle
Among the virgin forests and vast prairies likeislands in the boundless sea, there are urban agglomerations. Seattle is one of them. The population of the city itself is over six hundred thousand people. Seattle is also a major seaport. It is located on the Puget Sound Bay. In the east of the city lies the picturesque lake of Washington. And behind it begins the Rocky Mountains, which, like a magnet, attract climbers. In Seattle, two attractions are on the Mast Sea list. The Space Needle is the hallmark of the city. It was built in 1962 and was the tallest building in Seattle, while in 1985 the seventy-six-story Kalambia center was erected. At the Pike Place Market seafood market, you can buy not only Pacific shrimp and lobster, but also see performances by singers, street actors and clowns. Under the bridge of Washington should see the Fremont troll, holding in his hands the real Volkswagen.

Oregon
Moving south and leaving the state of Washington.West Coast USA continues to Oregon. According to the tradition of the country, the capital of the state is a small town Salem. And the largest metropolis is Portland. The state of Oregon also offers tourists a lot of natural beauty. These are the national parks of Mount Hood and Deschates with the Newberry volcano. Tourists are attracted to the Rocky Mountains, which stretch from north to south along the west coast of the United States. To the east of this ridge, at an altitude of more than one thousand two hundred meters, stretches the “Oregon desert” - very dry lands. And besides, the state will delight beach lovers with sand shoals and shores, bays and secluded coves between the rocks.

California
US West Coast completes this in the southsunny state. It is the longest along the Pacific Ocean. And, we add, the most filled with a variety of attractions. Here are located such world-famous urban agglomerations as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Hollywood. It is also the birthplace of Disneyland. California's endless beaches are the talk of the town. Sunbathing on the legendary Malibu, you can see the whales, and after taking a walk to one of the many natural parks on the coast, watch the fur-seal rookeries. But in the depths of the mainland in the state of the traveler are waiting for various attractions.
Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Sequoia and Yosemite parks, road number 66
The first attraction is known to the whole world. The Grand Canyon stretches for four hundred forty kilometers. His beauty can not be described in words - it must be seen!
Death Valley - the lowest point of the mainland(eighty-six meters below sea level), the driest and hottest. In summer, there is +57 C! For the year in the Death Valley falls 40 mm of precipitation, while in the Sahara - 384 mm.
The name of the park "Sequoia" speaks for itself.Here you can see not just huge trees, but real giants. “Here God has surpassed himself,” it is said about Yosemite Park. Such a variety of species of flora and fauna you will not find anywhere else.
East - West Coast of the United States so farconnects the legendary road number 66. Every American dreams of driving it from beginning to end (almost four thousand kilometers). The highway connects Los Angeles with Chicago.

City of Angels and Sins
Западное побережье США в Калифорнии славится cities like the film industry center Hollywood, the gambling capital of Las Vegas, San Francisco. In Los Angeles, you definitely need to visit the museum at the Universal Studios, and if you are traveling with children - the very first Disneyland in the world. In Las Vegas, it is difficult to resist, so as not to look into some casinos. And, of course, you just need to walk along the Walk of Fame, where the stars dedicated to Hollywood celebrities are laid under your feet.