Yakima

Yakima is the county seat of Yakima County. It occupies the west bank of its namesake river, along Interstate 82.

Settled in the late 1850s, the town blossomed with the railroad's arrival in 1884. It was incorporated in 1886 as North Yakima; the name was shortened in 1918. The city is named after the Yakama Indian Nation, now residents of a large reservation nearby.

Today Yakima, population 71,845, is the processing and shipping hub of a productive irrigated area, which produces fruit, hops and mint. It also is the northern gateway to the Yakima Valley Wine Appellation, home of more than 20 vineyards and wineries.

Forest products, packaging materials and aircraft parts industries also help Yakima's economy. Of interest are the State Fair Park, Mount Rainier National Park and a state fish hatchery. The annual Yakima Folklife Festival is held in July.

Yakima is part of the Yakima, WA metro area.