Island
County, Washington consists of
six islands in the far northwest corner of the
state. Whidbey Island and Camano
Island are inhabited, while the islands of
Hope, Pass, Deception and Baby remain
uninhabited. Island County is located along the Straits
of Juan de Fuca, which connect Puget
Sound to the Pacific Ocean.
Seven incorporated communities comprise
Island County, which showed a Census 2000
population of over 71,000. Whidbey Island lies
about thirty miles north of Seattle.
Almost forty-five miles long and ranging from
one-half to ten miles wide, it is considered the
longest island in the nation. The
Whidbey Island Naval Station takes up the
north end of the island, while rural farmland
and state parks comprise the south end. Near to
the Olympic
Mountain Rainforest region, the only
rainforest found in the U.S, Whidbey Island's
weather varies greatly. The southern end is
drier and more like Washington's
mainland. In the north, Pacific rhododendron and
madrone trees grow next to more exotic
wildflowers such as Indian paintbrush and
camassia, making the island a remarkable mixture
of plant life and climate.
Island County's unique and endearing region
can be reached by Airport Shuttle from Sea-Tac
Airport, by the exciting area ferry
services, and by automobile, crossing bridges
from Fidalgo
Island.
The designated county seat is Coupeville, one
of the oldest waterfront towns in Washington
State. Home to the annual Arts
and Crafts Festival, they display local
artisans' work and offer fantastic food and even
wine
tasting. Incorporated in 1910, this quaint
small town of less than 2,000 residents looks
forward to the event, showing off their
wonderful historic downtown district as well as
the beauty of Island County. The directors of
the 1989 movie, 'War of the Roses', discovered
this charming town and made it the locale for
their film. The Penn
Cove Water Festival held here honors the
original inhabitants of the area, the Native
Americans, and many local tribes come to
participate in the canoe races on Puget Sound,
and exhibit their crafts.
The Whidbey
Island Kite Festival brightens up the skies
just a few miles south of Coupeville each year.
Nearby, Ebey's
Landing National Historical Reserve keeps
alive the memory of the area's first explorer,
Isaac Ebey, beheaded by Haida Indians in 1857.
This twenty-five mile wide State Park contains
many working farms and homesteads perfectly
preserved in their original conditions, offering
a glimpse into Island County's colorful past.
The bustling city of Oak
Harbor, at the north end of Whidbey Island,
boomed into life after the Naval-Air Station
developed there. From its first settlement in
1850 by Irish and Dutch immigrants, the town
grew from a sleepy country village to its 2000
Census population of almost 20,000, making it a
thriving waterfront community today. The
historic downtown retains the flavor of Oak
Harbor's past, while annual events like the Whidbey
Island Race Week, a colorful weeklong
sailing regatta, bring home its importance in
modern Island County life. The Holland
Happening festival allows the Dutch
descendents to display their beautiful
traditions and fill the town with tulips, while
the Irish community 'paints the town' green for
St. Patrick's Day. The Joseph
Whidbey State Park presents a beautiful
stretch of shoreline for beach combing and
crabbing, along with miles of hiking trails for
bird watching and examining the exotic mix of
plant life that Island County contains.
Over twenty-five natural areas and stunning attractions
bring visitors to the region each year. With its
temperate climate, unique flora and fauna,
Island County, Washington remains a true
Paradise for any sea loving soul.
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