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The Pacific Northwest is home to many cities such as Seattle and Portland, but surprisingly there are no major cities along the coasts of either Oregon or Washington. This makes this region the LONGEST stretch of ocean coastline without any major or even medium sized city within the contiguous United States. And this is largely because of the region's unique physical geography which influenced both the historic developments along the coast as well as modern infrastructure.
In this video, we'll cover the incredible and complicated physical geography of the Oregon and Washington coast. Then we'll dive into the history of Indigenous and European settlements along the Pacific Northwest coastline and how they've adapted and struggled over the centuries. Finally, we'll figure out exactly what prohibits larger cities from establishing a permanent foothold on one of America's longest stretches of coastline with no major cities.
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Stock footage and music acquired from www.envato.com, www.storyblocks.com and videvo.net.
If you think there's been an error in using a video clip, please contact me.
This has been a production of Sound Bight Media (soundbight.com)
📝 Transcript
Transcribing... This may take a few minutes.
Top Comments
@piedpyper9034
Although it would be very cool to live in a large city on the PNW coast, I think the lack of a large city is a blessing in disguise. It has kept that stunning natural landscape relatively intact and enjoyable for nature lovers.
3193 likes
@bobbyd.roberson5588
Olympic Peninsula mentioned!!!
*tosses salmon and saw dust into the air*
886 likes
@beatriceotter8718
The thing about the Native American tribes is that they would spend the summer on the coast, and then travel inland for the winter, because the winter is when the weather is worst. The winter is when you get most of the rain, the winter is when you get most of the harsh storms coming off of the ocean. So they'd go to the coast in the summer when the weather was good, and then retreat up into the mountains to get shelter for the storm. Which is partly why Lewis and Clark thought the region was uninhabited--they spent the *winter* at the mouth of the Columbia! They were absolutely *miserable*, it was cold and wet and awful. Which is why, of course, the local tribes were in their winter quarters, where it was dryer and warmer.
1049 likes
@SuperCommando60
as a native, it is so refreshing to have some space that has never been developed. so much to see and do there...i even enjoy the beach in the winter time, so dramatic and moody.
204 likes
@XDWX
My great grandfather and grandfather created the coastal roads and highways on the Oregon coast. They used manual labor and horses to log the trees and cut the roads that are used today.
171 likes
@ShonnMorris
Great video as usual Geoff. That rugged coastline actually extends almost to San Francisco which is why there are no major cities on CA's coast north of San Francisco too. In fact, SF can only exist because of the Bay and the flatter land along the bay on the east side of the city.
995 likes
@reneeparker7475
Oregon has a law against developing its coastline, signed into law on July 6, 1967 by then Governor Thomas McCall. Washington and Oregon have the Cascadia Subduction Zone to consider; if it becomes active and generates enough energy, a massive tsunami will destroy our coastal cities and towns.
871 likes
@gecsword0922
Worth mentioning that Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett (as well as Port Angeles) are all natural deep-water ports. There are only two others in Washington (on the actual coast), meaning we actually have twice as many deep-water ports in Puget Sound/Strait of Juan De Fuca than on the entire Washington Coast (which only has two, Grays Harbor and Chinook). Puget Sound is a true geographic blessing.
179 likes
@jaymeelaws1139
No place makes me happier than the Oregon Coast. I’ve been to the beach in Mexico, Texas, Florida, Jamaica… but the Oregon Coast has my heart so much I go there every year, and the breath I take standing in front of that ocean truly soothes my soul. It’s magnificent.
65 likes
@LovethosePNWVibes
I grew up on the Olympic Peninsula, and so many people who come to visit/stay from other places believe that it is possible to develop it further, but the challenges outweigh the potential benefits. Gullies and rivers and national parks and state parks and mudslides and floods and all the things prevent it from being developed. If it was going to happen, it would have happened already - we'd have more than one road in and out of town, to start. There are reasons why a beautiful place hasn't been developed in this day and age, and in the case of the Oly Pen, those reasons are sound.
That said, I could never leave it for very long. I love it with my whole heart.
46 likes
@seattlesharksfan
8:15 - "Astoria" by Peter Stark is a good extended read about the challenges associated with establishing early settlements on the coast.
156 likes
@BurleyBoar
I grew up in North Bend, on Coos Bay (Silly regionalism as Coos Bay is next to it and the town to reference.) My go response when away from Portland (where I now live) and someone comments on the rain is "Yeah, it doesn't rain enough in Portland, I wish I was on the coast." You are very correct about the one year on the coast.... people move in and leave after they can't handle the winter. Growing up there normalizes so many things. Gale force winds were fine. Had a trench coat in high school and I could jump with the sides out like wings and double my stride. A quibble - I would argue Coos Bay is a good deep water port. I shipped enough wood to be the largest timber port in the world. Coos Bay had the first Ford dealership selling model Ts on the West coast! I admit home town pride colors my opinion.
385 likes
@TheFancyNomad
I grew up in the coastal range of Oregon, and when I started traveling, I realized just how dry and different much of the U.S. is... It made me appreciate how unique that environment is. Even now, I still prefer living away from the major city if I can and surrounded by nature and clean air.
158 likes
@janetroberts4359
I’ve lived in the PNW all my life, as did my parents. We always pronounced Willapa with the emphasis on the first syllable ( WILL-uh-puh). And the meaning of that word in the Native American language it is from, is “in a lonely wooded place”.
16 likes
@TwilightMysts
I could be wrong, but I believe there is also a lot of protected federal lands, parks, and forests, creating large regions where people are not allowed to live.