Salish Sea
General data
- Water type: Sae
- Progression: Pacific Ocean -> Planet Earth
- Climates: Temperate
- Continents: North America
- Countries: Canada, United States of America
Description
The Salish Sea is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean located in the Canadian province of British Columbia and the U.S. state of Washington. It includes the Strait of Georgia, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound, and an intricate network of connecting channels and adjoining waterways. The sea stretches from the channels of the Discovery Islands north of the Strait of Georgia to Budd Inlet at the south end of Puget Sound. It is partially separated from the open Pacific Ocean by Vancouver Island and the Olympic Peninsula. Much of the coast is part of the Pacific Northwest megalopolis. The region is anchored by Metro Vancouver to the north, and Metro Seattle to the south. Other cities on the Salish Sea include Bellingham, Port Angeles, and Victoria. As of 2021, the region is home to 8.76 million people.