Chapter 16 - The North Pacific Coast

The coastal zone stretching from northern California to southern Alaska is known as the North Pacific Coast. The physical geography is very wet and rugged. High precipitation patterns and heavy moisture makes for lush vegetation around the coast. Rainforests are plenty in the Olympic Peninsula where ferns, mosses, red cedars, Sitka spruces, and the worlds largest Douglas fir grows.

As stated previously, Santa Barbara, which is located in the Southwest Border Area in California, has a Mediterranean climate; onshore breezes make for a moderate climate with warmer winters and cooler summers. Santa Barbara does received precipitation in the winters. It has a higher rate of precipitation than most cities in the area but the summers are unaffected by rain.

Going back to trees, while Oregon has the biggest Douglas Fir tree in the country, Santa Barbara has the biggest Moreton Bay Fig Tree.

The North Pacific Coast's economy once relied heavily on fishing and forestry. The cold waters made for excellent fertile fishing grounds and British Columbia, Oregon, Washington, and California were easily the largest lumber producers.

Santa Barbara's economy is deeply rooted in the hospitality industry with science and technology being the basis of private employment. 


[Sources]

http://www.ancientforestalliance.org/news-item.php?ID=20

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara,_California#Climate

http://www.clrsearch.com/Santa_Barbara_Demographics/CA/93111/Weather-Forecast-Temperature-Precipitation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moreton_Bay_Fig_Tree_%28Santa_Barbara,_California%29