Seattle is among the top international centers

for commerce, development, and culture. In 2009 alone Seattle was honored with numerous accolades including being named as the “Fast City of the Year” by Fast Company and “Most Wired City in America” by Forbes. And anchored by global health, philanthropy and entrepreneurialism, international businesses such as Microsoft, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Amazon are all headquartered downtown—placing Seattle on a global stage.

Seattle’s economic prosperity and love for the arts has fostered more cultural offerings per capita than any other US city. It’s home to The Pacific Northwest Ballet, The Seattle Symphony, The Seattle Art Museum, numerous performance halls and two new professional sports stadiums drawing dedicated fans for the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Sounders and of course the Seattle Mariners. Additionally, popular attractions like Seattle Center and The Pike Place Market, one of the nation’s largest and longest running public markets drawing more than ten million visitors a year. And most notable are the celebrity chefs of renowned restaurants, scores of music lounges (the home to Nirvana) and of course, more coffee shops on any corner than any other city its size.

Many people would be surprised to learn that the Seattle area has the highest number of boats per capita in the US. The stunningly beautiful Puget Sound offers protected waterways and countless nearby islands, coves, and seaside destinations to visit—known for some of the most scenic coastline in the world and a yachtsman’s dream for cruising.

Some say Seattle will become the “Manhattan of the West Coast.” It has all the right attributes including a landlocked existence, established economic base, vibrant cultural scene and natural surroundings that make people want to “be a part of it.” Certainly, the diverse economy is drawing in the brightest minds from around the world already. Seattle’s anatomy is what makes it special—the heart of a small town but the mind of a global city destined for greatness. But ultimately, it’s Seattle’s unmistakable spirit of place that makes this Emerald City truly golden.