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Why Is Seattle Called the Emerald City?
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Seattle
Seattle
Seattle Kerry Park offers an expansive view of the skyline of Seattle, Washington, with Mount Rainier in the distance.

Why Is Seattle Called the Emerald City?

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Last Updated: • Article History
Cal Raleigh caps big series for Seattle with major league-leading 31st homer • June 22, 2025, 6:48 PM ET (AP)
Seattle man charged with string of burglaries at the homes of NFL and MLB stars • June 7, 2025, 12:54 AM ET (AP)

Seattle is called the Emerald City because of its abundant parks and greenbelts, which give it a vibrant, lush appearance year-round. In addition to ample vegetation within the city itself, Seattle is surrounded by areas of great natural beauty, including the densely forested Olympic Peninsula and the Cascade Range.

(Learn more about the city in Seattle: 10 Claims to Fame.)

Seattle is able to stay green all year because its climate is temperate, with cool summers and mild winters. To the west, the Olympic Mountains provide protection from the heavy winter rains that frequently inundate the Pacific coast of Washington, while the tall Cascades to the east shield the city from midcontinental extremes of heat and cold.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Will Gosner.