West Coast of the United States

From The UCSC Wikipedia Trust Project

The "West Coast", "Western Seaboard", or "Pacific Seaboard" are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the Western United States, comprising most often California, Oregon and Washington. Arizona and Nevada, while not coastal states, are also often included in the West Coast due to their proximity to the Pacific Coast and their economic and cultural ties to California. For certain purposes, all the cities stretching from Vancouver, Canada to Tijuana, Mexico are sometimes included. The estimated population of the West Coast as of 2006 is about 49,000,000.

While Arizona and Nevada are not coastal states, the urban centers of Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada, as well as Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona are significantly influenced by California culture and economic activity. Therefore, Arizona and Nevada are often considered part of the "West Coast." Although cities in Arizona and Nevada are inland, they share inclusion in the "West Coast" much like the inland cities of Eugene, Oregon, Sacramento, California, and Palm Springs, California.

An older term, arising primarily in the New York, New York area, is to refer to the West Coast, simply as "the Coast." The West Coast can also be refered to jokingly as the "Left Coast," a pun based on its lefthand position on a north-centric map of the U.S., as well as its reputation for being more politically liberal (or "leftist") than other parts of the United States. West Coasters are often stereotyped as being friendly, open, and liberal, and as more relaxed compared to their East Coast counterparts; these stereotypes have no scientific basis. California is perceived as the core of the region.

The term has also been taken by hip hop culture when used to refer to a particular school of artists, such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur and The Game.

See also

• History of the west coast of North America
• Western United States
• Geography of the Western United States
• List of regions of the United States
• Pacific Coast
• Third Coast
• British Columbia Coast

Template:U.S.Regions

bg:Западно крайбрежие на САЩde:Westküste der USAit:West coastja:西海岸