Seattle is the largest city in Washington State, United States, with around 785,000 people and a metropolitan area of more than four million. Situated between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges nearby, the modern settlement was established by American settlers in 1851 and officially incorporated in 1869 on land traditionally inhabited by Coast Salish peoples, particularly the Duwamish and Suquamish. Seattle grew through timber, shipping and trade before becoming a major centre for aviation and technology. Major landmarks include the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, the waterfront and the Museum of Pop Culture. Seattle also has one of the most important histories in modern heavy music. During the 1980s and early 1990s, bands including Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and Green River helped create the grunge movement, combining punk, hard rock and heavy metal influences, while the local Sub Pop label played a central role in bringing the scene to international attention.

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