Bellingham is located in Northwest Washington in the north Puget Sound region. Bellingham bridges the gap on the 1-5 corridor between Seattle and Vancouver B.C., encompassing a population of 6 million. Whatcom county has a population of about 165,000 and Bellingham itself has a population of 67,000 inhabitants.

	Map of the Pacific Northwest and Bellingham, WA

Bellingham is a breathtakingly beautiful place to live and work. Bordered by the Puget Sound and the waters of Bellingham Bay it is surrounded by dramatic hills and dotted by three lakes.

A few facts about Bellingham:

• Voted the cleanest city in air quality in America in 2002
• Four national magazines have singled Bellingham out as one of the country's best small towns. Magazines and publications include "Swing Magazine, " "Money," "Sunset" and "Rand McNally."
• In 2001 Forbes Magazine rated Bellingham "14th best small metropolitan area for business in the U.S." Measurements used included quality workforce, costs and investment in technology that foster future growth.
• Money Magazine voted Bellingham one of the best places to retire.
• Whatcom County is the 21st fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States. From 1990 to 1998, the county's population grew by 27.7 percent (U.S. Census Bureau, December 1999)
  
• A decidedly diverse area as far as culture, life styles, political views and activities
• The area offers great outdoor recreational opportunities, including biking, hiking, boating, fishing, golfing and skiing/snow bording at Mt Baker.
• Bellingham ranks one of the best places to golf by Gold Digest.
• The region hosts various cultural events including Ski to Sea and the Bellingham Festival of Music.
• Bellingham is home to nationally recognized Western Washington University. Washington's third largest institution of higher education with about 12,000 students.
• 5th largest in visitor-ship of 39 counties statewide
• 40 percent are repeat visitors
• About 2/3 of visitors to Whatcom County stay at least one night, and the average length of stay is 3.9 nights.
• Over $330,000,000 spent annually in Whatcom County by visitors

For more detailed information about Bellingham and Whatcom County contact Bellingham Whatcom Economic Development Council, Bellingham Chamber of Commerce, and Whatcom County Convention and Visitor's Bureau.