Seattle is one of the most iconic cities in the US. It is the most populated city in Northwestern USA and in the state of Washington. The city is known by many names including 'The Emerald City', 'Seatown', 'Gateway to Alaska', 'Gateway to the Pacific' and 'Rain City'. The city is also sometimes called 'Jet City' due to the influence of Boeing. Residents of the city are called Seattleites. Millions of tourists, both American and Foreign, visit the city every year. The city is also credited as being the birthplace of Grunge music.

The city has been the setting of many movies and televisions shows. Most notable are 'Sleepless in Seattle', 'Frasier', and 'Grey's Anatomy'. Its skyline is one of the easiest skylines to recognized, mostly because of the iconic Seattle Space Needle that towers over most of the over buildings in the city. Other city landmarks include the Fremont Troll, Pike Place Market and the Smith Tower. The two tallest buildings in Seattle include the Columbia Center followed by Washington Mutual Tower. Both were constructed in the 1980s. The Seattle Library and the Seattle Center are also frequented tourist destinations.

Starbucks, an iconic American institution, was founded in 1971 at Pike Place Market. The company's headquarters, found at the Starbucks Center, is currently the largest building in Seattle by area.