Puget Sound

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Inlet of the Pacific Ocean on the west coast of Washington State, USA, extending southwards for about 160 km/100 mi, from the eastern end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Olympia, the state capital. It covers an area of about 5,180 sq km/1,990 sq mi, and contains a number of islands; Whidbey, Vashon, and Bainbridge are the largest. The major port of Seattle lies on its eastern shore, and a government naval yard, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, is situated at Bremerton. The sound contains two main branches, Admiralty Inlet and Hood Canal, and receives rivers from the Cascade Range. Its waterways serve a rich industrial and agricultural area, and timber is rafted from its well-wooded shores to lumber and paper mills along the coast.

The sound was named after Peter Puget, an aide of the British navigator George Vancouver, on his navigation of the inlet in 1792.

Blue stands for faith and loyalty, the sea, lakes, and the sky. Black represents past suffering and is the colour of the traditional peasant's jacket. White symbolizes virtue and enlightenment and is the colour of snow, birch bark, and the midnight sun. Effective date: 16 November 1990. >>