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Think green when you consider working in the Pacific Northwest because you'll be surrounded by a nature lover's paradise. From the Cascade Mountains and Mt. Rainier to the San Juan Islands and the coastline of Puget Sound, this region defines natural beauty. And right in the middle of the lush forests and majestic mountains of the Evergreen State is Seattle. Founded as a logging and fishing town, the Emerald City matured into a major global trade center brimming with culture in the form of world-class arts, museums and international style. Home of Microsoft and its mogul, Bill Gates, the tech business has become king in and around Seattle and Puget Sound, resulting in new resources and amenities for all to enjoy. Seattle is driven by two obsessions - fitness and coffee. The home of Starbucks and Seattle's Best Coffee (SBC), this city's mornings are alive with coffee drinkers and joggers alike. In addition to the popular mega-chains, dozens of unique coffeehouses, cafés and shops fill the laid-back neighborhoods and city streets. After your caffeine fix, check out the numerous jogging trails and bike paths winding through the Emerald City. Green Lake is a local favorite with open fields for summer afternoon picnics or a pick-up game of basketball, as well as footpaths that circle the lake and surrounding woodlands. (And despite what you've heard about the weather, Seattle actually trails cities like New York, Atlanta and Boston in annual rainfall.) Within a couple hours of downtown Seattle, you can be downhill skiing in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, whitewater rafting on the Elwha or Wenatchee Rivers, whale-watching in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, scaling any one of a dozen mountain peaks, or exploring the international flavor of Vancouver, British Columbia. In Seattle, play sports or watch them at some of the best places in professional sports. Safeco Field is home to the Seattle Mariners (whose devout fans inspired a bumper sticker asking "Two outs? So What?"). The Seattle Seahawks Qwest Field offers breathtaking views of the city and mountains, and the Seattle Supersonics play their home games at the KeyArena. After a 'Sonics game, get a little culture at nearby Seattle Center and its array of museums, performance centers and other attractions. The pinnacle of downtown Seattle, the Space Needle, is located here as well as the home of the world-renowned Seattle Opera and the Pacific Northwest Ballet in their grand home, Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. Looking for a theater production? Yes, those too are performed at the Seattle Center in the Tony Award-winning Seattle Repertory Theater. The Seattle Art Museum has one of the largest collections of art in the country with a special section for local artists. SAM, as the locals call it, is definitely worth a visit for the art aficionados.
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