Northwestern US Map

About Northwestern US Map

Explore Map of Northwest USA / Northwest states map to see the US states located in the northwestern part of the United States.

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States in the Northwestern United States

State	Capital	Largest City	Population (2023 est.)	Area (sq mi)	Time Zone(s)	Major Geographic Features	Notable Facts
Washington	Olympia	Seattle	7,950,000	71,298	Pacific	Puget Sound, Cascade Range, Olympic Mountains	Leading tech and aerospace industries; birthplace of Starbucks and grunge music.
Oregon	Salem	Portland	4,340,000	98,379	Pacific	Willamette Valley, Columbia River Gorge, Cascade Range	Known for scenic beauty, sustainability, and craft beer culture.
Idaho	Boise	Boise	1,960,000	83,569	Mountain	Rocky Mountains, Snake River Plain	Major producer of potatoes; rapidly growing population and economy.
Montana	Helena	Billings	1,140,000	147,040	Mountain	Great Plains, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone (part)	Fourth largest state by area; rich in natural resources and outdoor tourism.
Wyoming	Cheyenne	Cheyenne	580,000	97,813	Mountain	Yellowstone National Park, Wind River Range	Least populous state; center of energy production and western heritage.
Alaska	Juneau	Anchorage	730,000	663,267	Alaska	Arctic tundra, Alaska Range, fjords, glaciers	Largest U.S. state by area; rich in oil and wildlife; located in the far northwest.

The Northwestern United States

The Northwestern United States is a region in the upper left corner of the continental U.S. known for its natural beauty, climate diversity, and cultural and historical heritage. Although there is no consensus on the definition of the region, the core states that are usually considered to be part of the region are Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and sometimes Alaska due to geographical and cultural reasons. These states are located in a vast territory that includes the Pacific Northwest rainforeds, the Rocky Mountains, volcanic plateaus, prairies, and glaciers in Alaska.

Geography and Natural Features

The Northwest region stands out for its varied geography and abundant ecological resources. The Cascade Range together with the Columbia River Basin and extensive temperate rainforests dominate the territory of Washington and Oregon. The Pacific Ocean coastline of these states creates a marine west coast climate that enables dense forest growth while receiving heavy amounts of precipitation. The region of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming exists where alpine mountains meet river valleys and high desert plateaus. The fourth-largest state by area Montana contains Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park extends into its territory from Wyoming. The largest U.S. state by land area Alaska displays some of the most dramatic natural features which include mountain ranges fjords arctic tundra and active volcanoes. The land area of Alaska extends to 663,000 square miles which represents almost one-fifth of the United States' total land size.

The Northwestern region has a population distribution across urban and non-urban territories during 2023. The population of Washington state leads the region with 7.95 million inhabitants who primarily live in the Seattle metropolitan area. The population of Oregon exceeds 4.3 million people while Idaho and Montana experience fast population growth because of urban development and migration to cities such as Boise and Billings. Wyoming holds the title of smallest U.S. state population with 580,000 residents while Alaska maintains a population of 730,000 people with Anchorage being home to almost half of them.

Historical and Economic Context

The Northwestern United States hosted diverse Indigenous populations including Chinook and Salish and Nez Perce and Shoshone people whose living traditions continue to thrive in the present day. European exploration started in the 18th century when British and Russian and American interests met in the Pacific Northwest region. The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806) established a crucial role in creating maps that led to the westward expansion of the region. Settlers traveled along the Oregon Trail during the 19th century to claim land and resources and seek better opportunities. The Northwest's early economy developed through three main industries which included timber production and fur trading followed by mining and agricultural activities.

The area now functions as a modern combination of established businesses alongside advanced technological developments. The Washington territory leads with technology and aerospace industries where Seattle functions as the worldwide headquarters for Amazon and Microsoft and Boeing's commercial aircraft operations. The state of Oregon has gained recognition for its sustainable practices and semiconductor production along with its creative sector which flourishes in Portland. The agricultural sector of Idaho and Montana continues to thrive alongside their energy industry while they build new tech startup and outdoor recreation sectors. The state of Wyoming stands out as a major producer of natural gas and coal and wind energy resources. The state of Alaska maintains its importance through its oil resources and fishing industry and tourism sector while also serving as a crucial location for Arctic and military operations.