Long Beach Peninsula
TheLong Beach Peninsulais an arm of land on the southern coast of the state ofWashingtonin theUnited States.Entirely withinPacific County,it is bounded on the west by thePacific Ocean,the south by theColumbia River,and the east byWillapa Bay.Leadbetter Point State ParkandWillapa National Wildlife Refugeare at the northern end of thepeninsulaandCape Disappointmentis at the southern end, withPacific Pines State Parklocated in between.
Cape Disappointment State Parkwest ofIlwaco,part of theLewis and Clark National Historical Park,was the westernmost terminus for theLewis and Clark Expedition.A monument designed byMaya Linas part of theConfluence Project[1]was dedicated there in 2005.
The Long Beach Peninsula is known for its continuous sandbeach28 miles (45 km) in extent on the Pacific Ocean side, claimed to be the longest beach in the United States. It is a popular vacation destination for people fromSeattle, Washington(165 miles (266 km) distant) andPortland, Oregon(115 miles (185 km) distant).
Geography[edit]
Due to its low elevation and coastal location, the peninsula is at high risk of severe damage in the event of a tsunami.[2]
Economy[edit]
The principal industry of the Long Beach Peninsula has becometourism,thoughfishing,crabbing,oyster farming,andcranberryfarming are also important components of the local economy. The Long Beach Peninsula is located on the west side of the Willapa Bay, considered the number one producer of farmed oysters in the United States and among the top five producers worldwide.
The Long Beach Peninsula has become one of the most popular tourism destinations in the State of Washington, and has attracted visitors from all over North America. As one of the final destinations of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, several television specials have brought publicity to this area. A multitude of events and festivals are held throughout the year including theWashington State International Kite Festival,[3]the Sandsationssandcastlesculpting competition,[4]and the annual The Rod Run to the End of the World,[5]which attracts thousands of visitors on the weekend followingLabor Day.
Cities and towns[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^"Confluence Project".The Confluence Project.Retrieved2009-01-08.
- ^Michael J. Totten,Can the Pacific Northwest prepare for the coming cataclysmic earthquake? | City Journal(Winter 2019)
- ^"Washington State International Kite Festival".World Kite Museum.Archivedfrom the original on 2024-03-14.Retrieved2024-03-19.
- ^"Annual Sand Stations Sandcastle Competition".Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau.Retrieved2009-01-08.
- ^"Rod Run Weekend to the End of the World".Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-01-06.Retrieved2009-01-08.
External links[edit]
46°27′36″N124°02′35″W/ 46.46000°N 124.04306°W
