- Olympic National Park
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a national park in NW Washington. 1323 sq. mi. (3425 sq. km).
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National park, northwestern Washington, U.S. Established in 1938 to preserve the Olympic Mountains and their forests and wildlife, it covers 1,442 sq mi (3,735 sq km); it includes a strip of Pacific Northwest shoreline geographically separated from the rest of the park.There are more than 60 glaciers in the park. The western part includes rainforests; the eastern slopes feature lakes; and the ocean shore section contains scenic beaches and three Indian reservations.* * *
national park, northwestern Washington, U.S., established in 1938 to preserve the Olympic Mountains and their magnificent forests and wildlife. The park, which covers 1,442 square miles (3,735 square km), includes a strip of Pacific Northwest shoreline geographically separated from the rest of the park. There are active glaciers on the highest peak, Mount Olympus (7,965 feet [2,428 m]), and others, more than 60 glaciers in all. On the mountains' western slopes, where rainfall is very heavy, grows a lush rain forest (see video—>) in which conifers reach tremendous size. The forest floor is carpeted with dense mosses and huge fungi. The eastern slopes are less thickly forested and feature lakes and meadows. The ocean-shore section contains scenic beaches, islets, and points; three Indian reservations lie within it.Wildlife in Olympic National Park includes deer, bears, cougars, and rare Roosevelt elks, as well as numerous varieties of birds.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
